You’re having a meeting (that isn’t on zoom) & it feels uncomfortable. Now what?

While working full time in the office is a while away for most of us, as covid-19 restrictions ease the feasibility of connecting in person (rather than zoom) transitions from a distant memory to a feasible reality.  After working most of the year in isolation, 1 in 2 Australians have advised they feel lonely and as such, it’s only natural to feel a little uncomfortable when the reality of incorporating some interpersonal connection back into your work life arises. 

No matter what feelings arise, the first and most important thing to remind yourself is that whatever feelings arise, it’s ok.  Then add a full stop to your thoughts and move onto the next thing.  This simple two-step response enables us to acknowledge our feelings and then tap into and trust our innate operating system which supports us in our everyday.  If you’re finding it hard to add a full stop to your thoughts or freeze, these three techniques will help get you moving, while also cultivating a sense of peace, creativity and connection. 

1.     Breathe

While the breath has long been viewed as the foundation of energy and life force in Buddhism and eastern health, research continues to prove the effectiveness breathing exercises has on our overall wellbeing - improving clarity, creativity, productivity and mental health.  Breathing exercises, like counting or box breathing, to those incorporated in meditation and movement (like yoga, pilates and some would say, running) allow you to quickly reset and move on. 

2.     Visualisation

Commonly associated with athletes who have been using this technique to drive peak performance since the 1980s, research continues to prove similar benefits for professionals.  In addition to performance, visualisation techniques also increase focus, confidence, immunity, and inner peace.   Three poplar visualisation techniques include:

Mental rehearsal – visualising yourself physically in a meeting with others, moving through each stage of the meeting (before, during and after).  As you mentally visualise, you’ll play out your desired outcomes and feelings in addition to incorporating your senses (sight, hear, touch, smell and taste) throughout each stage.  Mental rehearsal is most effective when you are relaxed, such as when you first wake up or after a meditation, and generally takes no more than five minutes to complete.

Vision board – by creating a vision of your ideal work life, including how you’d like to show up and interact with others, it becomes a continual point of focus to manifest and support your transition.  Wellineux intention board kits contain all the essentials to get you started. 

Visualisation meditation – utilising the same imaginative brain mechanics as the above visualisation techniques, in visualisation meditation you also focus on an image of something (like the environment you’ll be meeting in) or someone (the person/people you’ll be meeting), that is conjured as the object of focus.

3.     Connect in

You can’t give from an empty glass, so in order to make the most of your interpersonal connections it’s important that you prioritise connecting in with yourself.  Daily acts and rituals that support your mind, body and soul in your everyday will also enable you to show up and interact in the way you want to.  In doing this you’ll most likely find yourself being more present in your meetings and other actions, as opposed to forcing your way through to simply ‘get it done’.  Connecting in with yourself and  calling a halt to simply getting things done leads to greater interpersonal connection, in addition to increased creativity, productivity and performance.  

Interpersonal connection is an innate instinct that is forever linked to our wellbeing.  It also drives peak performance and success, to enable us, our teams and businesses to thrive.