This month’s focus is on Connection and how it is an important resilience skill. As humans, we are social and have an innate need for close secure relationships with others. Dean Ornish’s quote describes it well, "The need for connection and community is primal, as fundamental as the need for air, water, and food."
Remember how you felt when the pandemic hit and we were all forced to isolate and quarantine?
Science has proven that there are higher levels of anxiety and depression from our time of social isolation. The impacts are continuing to be researched and understood. I see the impacts of isolation, reforming social networks and connections in my coaching clients as well.
Human connection is defined as a deep, meaningful bond formed between people when they feel safe, secure, heard, seen, nonjudgmental, and valued. In short, it’s a supportive relationship.
How do you know if it’s a supportive relationship?
How do you feel afterwards? Do you feel energized, stronger, nourished? If so, that’s a supportive relationship. If not, take note of what’s missing and or negative.
The first step in having secure and supportive relationships is evaluating the networks and connections you currently have.
Evaluating your Connections
1. Check-in with your connection to others:
a. How connected do I feel with others now vs. pre-pandemic?
b. Less than before, same as before or more than before
c. It’s normal to feel less than & we get to nurture future connection
2.Make a list of all of your current networks of people and connections
a.Possible Networks and Groups: personal, family, friends, work, volunteer, spiritual/church, professional, recreational, neighborhood, cultural, civic, etc.
3.Evaluate the networks and groups for which ones are supportive and positive
a.Note which networks bring you happiness, joy and positivity
b.Note which group bring your energy down, lead to sadness and are soul sucking
4.Determine which group/network you wish to grow and nourish
5.Contemplate which group/network you might wish to prune or spend less time investing in.
The second step is cultivating and nourishing positive support relationships and connections.
14 Connection Cultivation Ideas
1. Reconnect with old friends and family
a.Send a handwritten note or card
b.Send a text or email
2. Be you – be genuine, your unique, and true self
3. Perform acts of kindness
4. Help someone
5. Listen without judgement
6. Be curious - Ask questions about them
7. Smile
8. Make eye contact – look into camera if on video
9. Schedule quality time
10. Be 100% present and focused
11. Love – do something loving for another
12. Volunteer
13. Join a class or group
14. Know your boundaries and respect others boundaries
Here’s to having authentic, real and supportive connections. I’d love to hear how the exercise and tips worked for you.
If you or someone you know would like support to bounce back and make more connections, please reach out and contact me. You can also forward this to them or even provide an e-mail introduction. I provide a safe place to explore your life and business. My clients inspire me with their wins, hard work, new jobs, reaching goals and moving forward in life.
PS. I have space for 2 clients in my coaching practice. If that's you or someone you know, please contact me here, use the form at the bottom and we’ll have a conversation to see how I may be of support for you.
Teresa –Making & reigniting mindful supportive connections.
Teresa Q. Bitner, M.Ed., PMP, PCC - Resiliency, Change and Loss Coach
Partnering with those who have been knocked down my life and want to build resiliency and move forward and live a bold life.
[email protected]
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
Author of:
• Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again - 4.8 Stars on Amazon
• Torn in Half: The First Days - Widow Journey - 5 Stars on Amazon
• Explorations into the Being and Doing of Coaching: A collection of voices, insights and wisdom from Austin area coaches
Remember how you felt when the pandemic hit and we were all forced to isolate and quarantine?
Science has proven that there are higher levels of anxiety and depression from our time of social isolation. The impacts are continuing to be researched and understood. I see the impacts of isolation, reforming social networks and connections in my coaching clients as well.
Human connection is defined as a deep, meaningful bond formed between people when they feel safe, secure, heard, seen, nonjudgmental, and valued. In short, it’s a supportive relationship.
How do you know if it’s a supportive relationship?
How do you feel afterwards? Do you feel energized, stronger, nourished? If so, that’s a supportive relationship. If not, take note of what’s missing and or negative.
The first step in having secure and supportive relationships is evaluating the networks and connections you currently have.
Evaluating your Connections
1. Check-in with your connection to others:
a. How connected do I feel with others now vs. pre-pandemic?
b. Less than before, same as before or more than before
c. It’s normal to feel less than & we get to nurture future connection
2.Make a list of all of your current networks of people and connections
a.Possible Networks and Groups: personal, family, friends, work, volunteer, spiritual/church, professional, recreational, neighborhood, cultural, civic, etc.
3.Evaluate the networks and groups for which ones are supportive and positive
a.Note which networks bring you happiness, joy and positivity
b.Note which group bring your energy down, lead to sadness and are soul sucking
4.Determine which group/network you wish to grow and nourish
5.Contemplate which group/network you might wish to prune or spend less time investing in.
The second step is cultivating and nourishing positive support relationships and connections.
14 Connection Cultivation Ideas
1. Reconnect with old friends and family
a.Send a handwritten note or card
b.Send a text or email
2. Be you – be genuine, your unique, and true self
3. Perform acts of kindness
4. Help someone
5. Listen without judgement
6. Be curious - Ask questions about them
7. Smile
8. Make eye contact – look into camera if on video
9. Schedule quality time
10. Be 100% present and focused
11. Love – do something loving for another
12. Volunteer
13. Join a class or group
14. Know your boundaries and respect others boundaries
Here’s to having authentic, real and supportive connections. I’d love to hear how the exercise and tips worked for you.
If you or someone you know would like support to bounce back and make more connections, please reach out and contact me. You can also forward this to them or even provide an e-mail introduction. I provide a safe place to explore your life and business. My clients inspire me with their wins, hard work, new jobs, reaching goals and moving forward in life.
PS. I have space for 2 clients in my coaching practice. If that's you or someone you know, please contact me here, use the form at the bottom and we’ll have a conversation to see how I may be of support for you.
Teresa –Making & reigniting mindful supportive connections.
Teresa Q. Bitner, M.Ed., PMP, PCC - Resiliency, Change and Loss Coach
Partnering with those who have been knocked down my life and want to build resiliency and move forward and live a bold life.
[email protected]
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
Author of:
• Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again - 4.8 Stars on Amazon
• Torn in Half: The First Days - Widow Journey - 5 Stars on Amazon
• Explorations into the Being and Doing of Coaching: A collection of voices, insights and wisdom from Austin area coaches
My latest podcast interview with Karen Hale of New Cleveland Radio & Avoid the Maze – A Year of Hope 2022 Podcast.
We had a terrific conversation about overcoming life’s hardships with the intent to help others avoid the maze, confusion and provide ideas and tips.
Listen Here or on YouTube
Karen Hale is a Producer, Web Designer, Blogger & Coaching Advocate with a wealth of life experience and a big heart. This year's podcast is focused on the Year of Hope.
Thank you, Karen for the work you do!
To learn more about Karen and her work at New Cleveland Radio click here: https://newclevelandradio.net/
I love doing podcast interview sharing my story of being resilient, live through change and thrive amidst adversity and loss.
I'm booking interviews for the fall. If you'd like me to be a guest on your show or event, please contact me here.
Stay tuned as more interviews are released.
All podcast interviews are linked to my events page.
We had a terrific conversation about overcoming life’s hardships with the intent to help others avoid the maze, confusion and provide ideas and tips.
Listen Here or on YouTube
Karen Hale is a Producer, Web Designer, Blogger & Coaching Advocate with a wealth of life experience and a big heart. This year's podcast is focused on the Year of Hope.
Thank you, Karen for the work you do!
To learn more about Karen and her work at New Cleveland Radio click here: https://newclevelandradio.net/
I love doing podcast interview sharing my story of being resilient, live through change and thrive amidst adversity and loss.
I'm booking interviews for the fall. If you'd like me to be a guest on your show or event, please contact me here.
Stay tuned as more interviews are released.
All podcast interviews are linked to my events page.
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