After 9/11 many americans began to stress about security, stability,and their future. Just as many were beginning to put things back together, the greatest economic recession in recent history hit. With so many changes occuring over the last decade, millions of Americans have struggled to keep up. The level of stress has risen to levels that have become threatening to us physically and emotionally. Recently the American Psychological Association CEO, Norman B. Anderson concluded that, "Stress could easily become our next public crisis." How do we avoid this from happening? Stressing the Importance of Balance will help you get started! When most people talk about stress or stress management, they focus on stress management techniques such as deep breathing or yoga. While those techniques are essential to coping with stress, they don't reduce stress at its core. Stressing the Importance of Balance teaches you to grab control of your life, set a course that works for you, and reduce stress so that obstacles are removed. In this beginners guide to reaching your potential, you will be introduced to simple and effective ways to live the life you deserve. From learning how to find your element, to understanding how the stress response affects you everyday. Stressing the Importance of balance gives you the tools to become the best you! In this book you will find simple information and expert advice that will help you in the areas of health, finances, time management, finding balance, and anxiety. Stressing the Importance of balance is a great tool for anyone dealing with stress, lacking balance, or looking to improve their overall quality of life.

Stressing the Importance of Balance

A Beginners Guide to Stress Management, Finding Balance, and Reaching your PotentialBy Bennie S. Covington

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 Bennie S. Covington
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4567-2253-1

Contents

Preface......................................................................................viiIntroduction.................................................................................3Chapter 1. Passion + Talent = Your Element...................................................7Chapter 2. Knowing When It's Time to Make a Change in Your Life..............................11Chapter 3. Freeing Ourselves from the Distractions of Stress.................................15Chapter 4. Stressed Out? You're Not Alone....................................................19Chapter 5. Don't Get Too Comfortable with Extremes...........................................21Chapter 6. Core Areas of Balance.............................................................23Chapter 7. There Is More to Money Than Spending It...........................................29Chapter 8. There Is Still Enough Time........................................................37Chapter 9. What Your Body Wants from You.....................................................43Chapter 10. Some Battles Are Not Yours.......................................................49Chapter 11. Eight Steps to Regaining Control Over Your Finances and Time.....................55Chapter 12. Eight Steps to Regaining Your Health.............................................63Chapter 13. The Science Behind Potential.....................................................69Chapter 14. The Unselfish Act of Selfishness.................................................71Chapter 15. Learning to Love Who You See in the Mirror.......................................75Chapter 16. Sometimes We All Need a Little Help..............................................79Chapter 17. You're Getting Close.............................................................83Chapter 18. The Big Picture..................................................................85Additional Resources.........................................................................91Stress Tips..................................................................................93Workplace Stress Advice......................................................................95Terms........................................................................................97Index........................................................................................99Acknowledgments..............................................................................101

Chapter One

Passion + Talent = Your Element

"As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world - that is the myth of the atomic age - as in being able to remake ourselves." -Mohandas Gandhi

Think of who your heroes are. Think about all of the people who have inspired you throughout your life. We all have had someone we looked up to for inspiration at some point. This person could be a family member, celebrity, friend or a fictional character. Whoever it is, we have a tendency to admire people who have reached greatness. Often times, when we admire someone who has reached personal greatness we have a tendency to assume that everything about them must be just as great. However, when we do this, we sometimes create an image of someone that is too perfect. It makes it harder for us to truly be motivated by them because we feel that they are better or different than us.

Of course, it is perfectly natural to assume that someone who is so great in one area of their life must be just as great in the other parts. It would be hard to believe that our favorite athletes, who we watch on a regular basis dominate the competition with grace, confidence, and coordination, might be clumsy off the field. It is equally as hard to believe that our favorite singer may stutter or seem awkward in an interview. But even though we assume that their greatness transcends all aspects of their lives, our heroes are just like us.

The only difference between our heroes and ourselves is that they are in their element. When a person has found their element they go from being a regular Joe/Jane to a commandant of their craft. For example, take Michael Jackson; he was one of the most socially awkward celebrities of our time. Chances are you could name five people you personally know who have a more commanding voice and presence. If you ever watched an interview with the King of Pop, it was evident that he was very shy. He spoke so lightly that he almost sounded as if he was whispering. Physically, Michael Jackson had such a thin physique that he barely had a presence. However, when he stepped on stage or in a music video, he was one of the most commanding presences we have ever witnessed in entertainment. This is what it means to be in your element. When you are in your element, you go from being a regular Joe, to being someone extraordinary.

If you ever want to reach greatness you will need to find your element. If you don't know what your element is, think about the one thing that you do well, something you do naturally, without a great deal of effort. That thing is your element. In addition, you must have some type of passion that can make use of your natural gift. Once passion and natural talent are paired together, purpose is found!

For some people it's being a parent. My mom is a natural nurturer and very passionate about her children. So naturally, when she took on her motherly duties, all things fell into place for her. She was motivated and energized everyday by the responsibility of motherhood.

There is almost a supernatural phenomenon that occurs when a person is put in their element. Anytime you attempt to reach greatness or become skilled at something, it takes so much time, hard work, and dedication, that people often give up. Make no mistake about it, excellence is hard work and it takes a level of commitment that is sometimes so taxing, that if it does not fit your strengths, you will most likely not carry through with it.

Therefore, greatness cannot be easily obtained if you're not in your element. It doesn't matter how competitive you are, or how hard of a worker you tend to be. If you are not in a position that uses your natural gifts and if you have no passion for what you do, you cannot be great in it.

I witnessed the greatest example of how regular people can become great when they are in their element. I was at home one day watching an episode of the Oprah Winfrey show. Her guest for the day was rapper and entrepreneur, Jay-Z. If you don't know who Jay-Z is, he is on the Forbes list of most influential celebrities and top 20 richest African Americans. He has sold over 40 million records, has eleven #1 albums, and owns his own clothing line with annual sales of $700 million. Needless to say, he is pretty accomplished. If you still don't know who I'm talking about, then perhaps you may know his wife, pop star Beyonce Knowles.

As a rapper he is one of the fiercest and most intimidating figures in music. But watching him sitting there with Oprah talking about his cologne, I realized that there was a disconnect between the fierce rapper on the radio/TV, and the guy that I was watching. I thought to myself, "I'm not intimidated by this guy at all right...