by Jane Cox
“Such Fun!” I’ve just finished Miranda Hart’s memoir, "I've Not Been Entirely Honest With You," Why pray tell?
I think she’s incredibly talented and her TV characters make me laugh out loud - which as we know is a great stress reliever
I love an autobiography
Believe it or not I’d heard it’s a book packed with practical self-coaching tools and techniques, and you know how much I love a coaching tool 😊
In truth it was a hard read. I had no idea how much Miranda’s life has been impacted by undiagnosed Lyme's disease and I wanted to reach out to give her a big hug, and let her know how amazing it is that she is turning such a difficult experience into something purposeful and positive through this book.
So to extend her reach. And to give you a flavour of what to expect if you buy and read her book, I’m sharing 3 of Miranda’s many tips. The techniques I’ve chosen all relate to how you can further enhance your wellbeing, and can just as easily be used with your team as on yourself. The techniques are…
1. Acknowledging and Naming Emotions
What Miranda Does: She openly acknowledges her feelings of doubt, anxiety, and imperfection, naming them without judgment. By doing so, she normalises emotional struggles and emphasises that emotions are part of the human experience. We all have them 😊
What You Could Do: You could try naming your emotions as they arise – simple eh. Or journalling about them once they have happened. This works by helping you build your awareness of the range of emotions you experience, and what else is going on for you at that the time you experience them. This allows you over time to notice any repeating patterns, or triggers. And in doing so, can help you get to know what makes you tick. All fabulous insight if you want to get better at regulating your emotions
2. Using Humour to Reframe Situations
What Miranda Does: Miranda uses humour to shift her perspective on challenges, finding lightness in even her most difficult experiences. Humour allows her to see struggles as manageable rather than insurmountable.
What You Could Do: You too could try reframing situations by finding a playful or positive angle. This can help reduce stress and build resilience. If you want to give it a go, I’d suggest you start with a question like “What’s the funniest thing about this situation?” and see how it shifts your mindset.
3. Embracing Imperfection and Letting Go of Comparison
What Miranda Does: She stops comparing herself to others and embraces her differences, seeing her “imperfections” as beautiful. She realises that by rejecting societal expectations and being true to herself, she is able to find a deep sense of peace.
What You Could Do: You could invest time in identifying your unique strengths and values. Use tools like strengths assessments or visualisation exercises (e.g., imagining a life free from comparison) to foster self-acceptance. Or simply add a regular gratitude practice to your week, to appreciate all that you have and is good in your life.
There we have it. 3 simple tips and techniques. I hope you enjoyed this insight. Her book contains lots of other relatable and accessible techniques, and is definitely worth a read or in my case a listen whilst walking Lulu. If you too love an audio book – you’ll be delighted to know Miranda narrates this one herself!
Finally, if you would prefer to partner with a coach to explore these orother techniques for building resilience and emotional wellbeing together rather than on your own, then please do DM me.
Author: Jane Cox
Jane is one our Work Stories founders and resident executive coach. To find out more about Jane click HERE
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