When you learn how to manage your nervous system you can take something that used to overwhelm you or freak you out and make it work for you.
EXAMPLE: I recently did a professional photoshoot with my favorite photographer.
Now, I used to Ha-ha-HATE getting my photo taken.
I would do headshots because I was told you had to in order to be successful (blah blah blah) and then I would immediately get a migraine, have a stomach ache and go home and collapse – needing at least a days recovery.
Then 2 things happened (ok, 3 🙂)
1. I learned I was highly sensitive and that I needed to start doing things differently
When I discovered I was highly sensitive (and how highly sensitive I am) I learned what this meant about my nervous system. Through this process of learning I recognized that my nervous system operated differently than most, and I began to understand that this meant I needed to work with it differently than most. This lead to me creating and working consistently with the energy management tools to change the way I was working.
2. I learned how to manage my nervous system to work for me
Through the creation of energy management tools and then consistent use of those energy management tools I began to honor my nervous system and learn how to use it to work for me instead of against me. I was finally able get clear on how as a highly sensitive I could start doing things differently. I was finally able let go of old limiting beliefs and “shoulds” that I previously believed I needed to follow in order to be successful. I was finally able to access my highly sensitive strength of intuition and follow my inner guidance to show me what I really needed to operate optimally in business and life.
3. I committed to only working with people who respected my highly sensitive self
Through “doing the real work” with consistent energy management, I was able to see what I needed to best support myself and what boundaries I needed to put in place. I committed to only working with people who respected my highly sensitive self. And NOW I am using this photoshoot as a celebration. To celebrate being self-employed for 20 years. To celebrate not needing to pretend to be someone I’m not (and catch that on camera!) To celebrate working with great people who get me.
Full disclosure – these three discoveries didn’t give me an instantaneous quick fix.
Like any chosen change, the shift from allowing your highly sensitive nature to work as a weakness that causes you react to nervous system overwhelm into an experience of strength, privilege, and empowerment that allows you to respond proactively instead, is a process.
And one that is much easier when it is not done alone.
I invite you to join others like you who are invested in an empowerment journey to travel the path with you.
You can find them right here in the Business Miracles community of Highly Sensitive Entrepreneurs and leaders.
