At the time, I wrote and scheduled this post, I had a cold that made itself comfortable in my head as a sinusitis. That made concentrating a little difficult. But that’s what inspired me. I should let it flow rather than make such efforts to make my mind present an idea. What a fitting analogy to my sinusitis… I see your point, universe.

My employed job as a compliance officer does not allow overlooking details. I always have to think further and behind documentation of portfolio files, information of our clients, and regulatory (new) requirements. Pushing me to see those details seems to be part of that job. Since I am someone who tends to overthink, wants to be in control, and puts safety first, my pre-conditions seem to be not too bad. However, overthinking is something I actually want to get rid of. I don’t want to dig into criminal expectations either. I am someone who naturally and reflexively expects the good in everyone (even when I get fooled). So, that attitude actually disqualifies me for that job. I have to wear a different hat when working through compliance tasks than when I am me. The funny thing is, when I wear that hat for too long, my head starts to hurt. Let it flow, right?

How often do we get stuck in something that does not go along with our nature? There are positive people who already “smell” when there lingers something incorrect in the background – like my business partner. They don’t overthink – they just let it flow. It flows from them. That is the secret when you are successful at something. Whatever you do, if that is part of you, you are what you do, and that integrates naturally into your actions. If you think you only need to make yourself part of your task, it may be a constant challenge and exertion. That doesn’t mean that even dream jobs can be challenging and stressful at times when too much is coming together, but the activity/task itself will never be the burden.

Maybe overthinking or pushing yourself to be in control has also to do with balancing out a lack of self-esteem. You don’t trust yourself that you can master it – perhaps because what you do is not an internal but an external thing that is never under control anyway. The need to get something under control (to do a good job) causes stress and the fear of overlooking something. However, maybe there is something in us that does flow with the task (just not all-inclusive). Perhaps something we only need some time to get used to the field. But after a while, even if you try to ignore the signs, you feel whether you are growing into it and begin to “flow” with it or if it is a new attempt every time.

Sometimes, we don’t have a variety of choices to pick from. We need to take what seems to work best at that very moment. Also, sometimes, we need to make uncomfortable steps in between to get where we want to be. Sometimes, we need to make compromises since nothing is always roses. Compliance may not be “my thing”. But I have a fantastic work climate and flexibility at my job, and there are a lot of other tasks I am in charge of. So, it works for me when I look at the whole occupation. However, even if many parts of a job look great, one smaller one can overshadow them. We need to listen to ourselves, and if the overall situation is unbearable and even begins to affect our health, we need to act. Maybe a talk suffices, or it shows more and different options. If that doesn’t work, a more dramatic change should be considered and focused on.

Hmm, this post went in a completely different direction than I expected when I started writing it. But that’s OK, no, it’s perfect. And believe it or not, my headache is gone. That tells me clearly that my headache was cause and cure at the same time: It was necessary to cut my mind off and let the information flow that needed to be shared, and by letting everything flow (and stop overthinking), it dissolved.

Eventually, the heart should always be activated first in whatever you do.
Don’t let the mind suppress it for longer than necessary.
Listen to yourself, take yourself serious, and you will find a solution.
That counts for life in general.

In Love and Light