Embracing Your Inner Awkward: Positive Psychology Coaching for Shy, Introverted, and Neurodivergent Gen X Women
Hello, fabulous Gen X ladies! If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve navigated the wild world of professional life while balancing your introverted, shy, or neurodivergent traits. It’s like trying to break dance on a floor full of Lego, right? Fear not—positive psychology coaching is here to help you turn those quirky moves into a graceful glide. Let’s dive into how embracing your inner awkwardness can actually be your secret weapon to thriving professionally.
The Quirky Chronicles: Understanding Our Unique Struggles
Let’s face it, the professional world isn’t exactly a playground for introverts, the shy, or the neurodivergent. It’s more like a high-energy karaoke night, and we’re the ones trying to find the courage to sing. Here are some relatable struggles we face:
Networking Nightmares: The idea of mingling at a networking event can send us hiding behind the nearest potted plant. Small talk? More like big terror.
Sensory Overload: The cacophony of open office spaces, glaring fluorescent lights, and the ever-buzzing environment can feel like living inside a pinball machine.
Confidence Crashes: Self-doubt can creep in, making us question our capabilities and feel like impostors in our own careers.
Miscommunication Mayhem: Different communication styles can lead to misunderstandings and the occasional awkward silence that feels like an eternity.
Despite these challenges, our introversion, shyness, or neurodivergence are not weaknesses. They’re just part of our unique charm! With the right tools, we can transform these traits into strengths that propel us forward.
What in the World is Positive Psychology Coaching?
Positive psychology coaching is like having a personal cheerleader who also happens to be a life coach. And that would be me, by the way. It focuses on enhancing well-being, identifying strengths, and fostering a positive mindset. Instead of fixating on what’s wrong, it shines a spotlight on what’s right—yes, even those wonderfully quirky parts of you.
The Comedy of Strengths: Finding Your Superpowers
Identify Your Superpowers:
Self-Reflection: Take some time to reflect on what makes you unique. Are you an analytical thinker? Do you have a knack for empathy? Write these down—these are your superpowers.
Feedback Fun: Ask trusted colleagues and friends what they see as your strengths. Be prepared for some surprises and maybe a few laughs.
Use Your Powers for Good:
Strategic Silence: As an introvert, your ability to listen and observe can be a game-changer in meetings. Use this to provide thoughtful insights that others might miss.
Empathy Extravaganza: Your empathetic nature can help build strong team relationships and foster a supportive work environment.
Laughing at Self-Doubt: Boosting Confidence with a Smile
Positive Affirmations (with a Twist):
Mirror Mantras: Start your day by looking in the mirror and saying positive affirmations. Add a dash of humour—“I am a pocket rocket in pyjamas,” or “I can conquer this meeting, one awkward smile at a time.”
Celebrate the Wins:
Victory Dance: Did you manage to survive a networking event without hiding in the bathroom? Do a little victory dance. Celebrate every small win, no matter how tiny it seems.
Communication Catastrophes: Turning Them into Triumphs
Embrace Authenticity:
Be You, Unapologetically: Authenticity resonates more than any polished act. Embrace your quirks in communication. It’s okay to say, “I need a moment to think about that.”
Practice Makes Perfect-ish:
Role-Playing Fun: Practice challenging conversations with a trusted friend or coach. Throw in some humorous scenarios to make it less daunting.
Sensory Overload? More Like Sensory Superpower!
Create Your Zen Zone:
Personal Oasis: Design your workspace to minimize sensory overload. Noise-canceling headphones, softer lighting, and a little desk plant named Fred can work wonders.
Mindfulness Moments:
Breathe and Be: Incorporate short mindfulness practices into your day. It can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths between tasks. Imagine you’re on a beach, not in a buzzing office.
Real-Life Laughs: Case Study Comedy
Case Study: Janet’s Journey Janet, a neurodivergent marketing director, often felt overwhelmed by sensory input and struggled with self-doubt. Through positive psychology coaching, she discovered her analytical prowess and ability to see patterns where others saw chaos. Janet started incorporating mindfulness breaks and humour into her day. She now proudly rocks her noise-cancelling headphones and has a reputation for insightful, data-driven strategies—delivered with a quirky sense of fun.
Ready to Thrive with a Grin?
Positive psychology coaching isn’t about changing who you are; it’s about embracing your quirks and turning them into strengths. It’s about finding the joy in your journey and laughing at life’s absurdities. So, if you’re ready to turn your awkward moments into awesome ones and thrive in your professional life, let’s get started. Embrace your inner quirky, and let’s dance our way to the top—break dancing on Lego and all.
Connect with Me! Ready for some coaching fun? Reach out and let’s embark on this quirky, empowering adventure together.
I’m very keen on self-advocacy and campaigning for our own rights. It’s like basic self-first aid. We have the right to push for our beliefs and values and to be treated kindly, and the way we would treat others, and this should start with ourselves. I’m not talking about demanding an Instagrammable lifestyle, feeling that life is only bearable if we can have all the things. This is the self-entitled, gimme stuff of the wildest dreams. When I talk about self-advocacy, I mean the things that I know many people still have trouble with. Being kind to themselves, giving themselves grace, patience, and not pulling themselves down at every opportunity.
As some of you may know, I have Parkinson’s Disease, and I tried doing an easy Level 1 Hatha Yoga class a couple of days ago, and it nearly feckin killed me.
Now, I remember a time when asked to step forward on the mat, I couldn’t lift my left leg without picking it up with my hands, so we’re not quite back at that point. I’ve lost none of my flexibility, just a lot of strength. So, I’m going to be working on that, and going back to yoga more often, because I’ve realised it’s totally necessary for my wellbeing.
Yes, but what’s the point of all this Paula?
The point is, recognise how far you’ve come. It’s so tempting at this time of year to reflect back and think you’ve done bugger all, or maybe only made tiny steps, but you have every reason to be proud. My tiny step forward on the yoga mat was a big physical achievement I never thought I’d make.
I would really love it, if instead of thinking what’s wrong with us, we could start thinking what’s right with us….that’s a great way to build on resolutions you might be tempted to make….
We all conveniently have thinking patterns that can filter the way we view the world, and how we respond to situations. It doesn’t mean they’re true, by any stretch of the imagination.
What better excuse to take a few minutes out of your day and get stuck into one of your favourites for the sake of it? Or for self improvement? To learn a new skill, to remind yourself of something you used to love doing, but stopped, and you can’t remember why? My favourite escape when I was a kid was to read. I didn’t realise that I was autistic as a child, so reading was my refuge, and I would read till all hours, because I was unable to get to sleep and anxious as a result. So, I’m going to recommend some books, and let’s see if there’s anything that fits you here.
This is an actual thing. Well, the tug of war world championships are being held currently, but I bet there isn’t a person alive who doesn’t struggle with their own personal tug of war. That internal can I/can’t I struggle….am I allowed to do this? Am I good enough? Am I allowed to have this? It’s something we all go through, and it’s usually down to a feeling of guilt, trauma, or just plain old worth.
Self Conflict
While I’m typing this, I’m sitting in the garden, trying to focus, while playing tug with my dog. Not an easy deal, as she puts a squeaky burger on to my chair every couple of minutes for me to throw, then changes her mind at the last minute and I have to wrestle it from her. So I’m torn. Do I play with her, or just get this piece written and published? I know the answer really, but she’s so cute, and I didn’t adopt her to ignore her. And so the argument goes on. And on. And on.
It’s not really a life changing argument, but it’s just one of many I have during my day. Of the 60 odd thousand thoughts that go through my head each day, it’s just one small example of the tug of war I’m playing against myself, against other people, but mostly with myself; and it can affect every area of my life, right from playing with the dog, to what to eat for dinner, to how much money I can spend on developing the business, how much it affects other people around me, and so on. There are so many fighting metaphors for this, and we wrestle with our subconscious every day and take so much out of ourselves to come up with something that seems reasonable to all sides of ourselves.
In Hypnosis
In hypnosis, I work with a lovely technique called Parts Therapy, where we call out all the parts of you that are in conflict, or trying to make a decision, or feel like they are in this tug of war. Usually, hard to believe though it may feel to you, they’re usually trying to reach the same outcome, just not all going about it the same way. We all, I suspect, have a part that likes to torture us before reaching a decision, making us feel terrible, making us believe it will have a terrible impact, and can’t see a solution; another part will have practical solutions we can call upon. One of my clients used to see it as a board meeting, which was a brilliant way of getting all the parts of his subconscious together, working for the same goal and all pulling in the same direction; no more tug of war, no conflict, just peace of mind.
If this sounds like you, then contact me,and let’s see how we can change your mind and help you live your best life. Nobody got time for that kind of conflict.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a patterjack who needs a squeaky burger chucking across the garden…..
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