When my daughters were teenagers, they would say, “You’re using your speaker voice again.”

The first time they said it, I asked, “What does that mean?”

My 15-year-old daughter explained, “It’s the voice you use when you’re saying something to motivate us. You like the voice; but, you don’t want to argue with it.”

Can you relate? It’s been a stressful time. Sometimes how you’re feeling is reflected in your voice.

The work of running a business – or raising kids, caring for loved ones, daily life – can be challenging enough. Add the pressure of living in a pandemic to the mix and you’re dealing with what could be called the “perfect storm.”

How can you navigate a storm with greater resilience, courage, and confidence? I sat down with Cate Collins, author of The Powerhouse in You, to find out how she did it and how you can too!

1. Conduct a Relationship Inventory

Write down the names of the five people with whom you spend the most time. As Cate says,

“Do these people inspire you or expire you?”

Choose to spend the majority of your time with people whom you can consistently count on to treat you with kindness and respect – and with whom there is a healthy balance of give and take.

2. Create a Sleep Routine

“We’re in the middle of a sleep crisis,” says Cate. “[People] are having a really tough time turning off their brains.” Consider creating a sleep routine that involves going to bed at the same time each night and leaving your cell phone outside of the bedroom.

3. Give Yourself Permission to Grieve

People are struggling emotionally right now. They’re struggling with stress, sadness, frustration, depression, and grief. Cate says,

“Somewhere in our minds we have this “X” on the calendar for when we will be done with [grief.] And, that’s not how grief works. Grief comes in waves.”

Give yourself permission to grieve. It’s okay to feel the way you do. (That being said, if you’re feeling overly depressed, please make sure you talk to someone for help.)

Robert Schuller said, “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” With courage, resilience, and confidence, you can get through the challenges of today.

All my best,
Denise Marek

(P.S. The CALM Online episode with Cate Collins is uploaded onto YouTube now for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!)