I’ve often used this analogy:

DIRTY DISHES ARE DIRTY DISHES, BUT THE LONGER WE WAIT TO TAKE CARE OF THEM, THE LESS INVITING THEY BECOME! 

This being said, am I obsessed with dirty dishes in the sink to the point that I will wash them even late at night? Certainly not! 

It doesn’t bother me finding them in the morning, when I know the decision to leave them there was mine. However, I’m always clear about assuming that I will wash them sooner rather than later.

To me, dirty dishes have always represented the things I didn’t want to deal with or face. They’re everything but fun! The longer I wait to handle them, the worse things become.

SO, WHY SHOULD WE MAKE THE EFFORT TO FACE OUR ISSUES, BEFORE THEY TAKE THE BEST OUR OF US?

Because just like a week’s old pile of dirty dishes, they amplify and worsen with time and disrupt our well-being and performance.

No matter what the cause of your issue might be, in body or mind, the earlier you acknowledge it and deal with it, the better. To help you understand this principle, I love using the example of a person hurting or offending you. 

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO FEEL BETTER?

• The recognition of the person that has done you wrong: Excuses, ” I’m sorry”,  or “please forgive me”.
• The possibility to share how you feel: “You’ve really hurt my feelings”.

Your issues function the same way! Once you recognise and accept how they affect you, you lessen their impact and gain relief. Depending on the type of issue, the transformation is almost immediate.

Remember the story I posted about my client Christina, the golf player, whose performance improved the moment I put my hands on her shoulders, thus helping her realise how much tension she was holding there?

Listen, I’m not telling you to start becoming self-absorbed! This is not what recognition is about. There’s a difference between acknowledging your issues to turn them into assets and using them to draw attention to you. 

You want self-empowerment not the opposite. By owning what you feel and choosing to do something about it, you gain priceless freedom and joy, and these are fundamental elements to help you thrive.