Steady Yourself Before An Important Work Call

If an important work call is looming, you may be going through an anticipatory doom spiral. This micro-practice helps you centre yourself, step out of that spiral, and enter the call with calm and composure.

Transcript

If an important work call is ahead of you and your mind is already trying to run through the conversation, Pause here first. For these next few minutes, You don't need to solve the whole call in advance, You only need to gather yourself before it begins. If you can, Move to a quiet place away from your desk and get comfortable. Close your eyes if you can and let both feet settle on the floor. Feel the chair supporting you. Let your hands rest in your lap and take one deep breath in and let the exhale out slowly. Again, Breathe in and sigh it out. Now allow your breath to find its own rhythm. Do a quick body scan to sense where you are holding stress and tension. Take a moment now to squeeze and then release your body parts, Starting with your face, Shoulders, Chest, Upper back, Upper arms, Forearms. Make your hands into fists and then release them, Moving to the belly, Squeezing it in and releasing, Lower back, Thighs, Calves and feet. This phone call that lies moment away matters, So it makes sense that your system is preparing. When something really matters, Your body often reacts before you are consciously aware of the toll this impending action is taking on you. There is still room here to choose how you want to enter this conversation. Ask yourself what matters most in this call. It could be clarity on an issue or answers to important questions. It may be setting a boundary or voicing a difficult observation. Take a moment to consider the one message you want to communicate well in this call. Try and make it simple. Now imagine only the first part of this call. See yourself answering or dialing with a steady breath and a calm expression on your face. See yourself beginning clearly and slowly rather than rushing. See yourself listening properly before deciding what to say. See how you are able to take time to think, Consider and receive the messages being expressed with equanimity and not with heightened emotion. And if the call doesn't go the way you hope, You still have choices. You can choose your tone, Your pace and the spirit in which you respond. You can choose the attitude you adopt if confronted. Take another deep breath in and let the next exhale soften the throat and chest. Say quietly to yourself, I can't control the outcome of this call but I can choose how I conduct myself. Or say, I can bring calm and respect into this conversation. Now take one final breath and feel the support of the chair beneath you. When you are ready, Open your eyes and step into the busy world, Calm and confident and ready to make or receive the call.