Featuring wellness expert, Lis Cancio
By Ria and Emily (Student Wellbeing Committee 2022)
Image: By Jared Rice, Unsplash, 2020
About Lis
Lis Cancio is a lifelong follower of Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness, and has been a dedicated meditation teacher and transformational coach since 2010. Her work entails empowering clients to find their zen and harness a renewed perspective of themselves. Her insightful programs merge modern research on Psychology and Emotional Intelligence (EQ) with wisdom traditions such as Mindfulness and Yoga. She has successfully led workshops for CEO’s at organisations such as MTV, Nickelodeon, Zurich, Corporate Travel, and busy mums alike.
How can law students recognise that we have a fear of failure?
“I've had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened” - Mark Twain
A fear of failure can manifest in an all-or-nothing mindset with a focus on thinking I need to be a winner or I’m a failure. When we get into that mindset, we’re focused on avoiding failure instead of performing at our best. On the habit of catastrophising, Mark Twain once said, “I've had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.”
What are your key tips on how to branch out from your comfort zone?
“Know your limits and determine your edge”
Our comfort zones are varied and are very personal to us, so it is important to identify what your limits are and work within your edge. As law students, you can leverage your healthy anxiety to encourage yourself to go further, whilst working within your defined limits.
Lis advises that defining your comfort zone takes some personal reflection. She suggests practising mindfulness by noting down in your journal when you are conscious that you are at your edge, and work with it.
Lis recommends the following strategies to branch out of your comfort zone:
attending a meditation class
daily exercise; in particular, a form of exercise that makes you feel like your best self
cold exposure; at the end of your shower, burst yourself with cold water or even take an ice bath. Cold exposure helps build your stress tolerance.
These strategies are a great way to test your physical limits.
How can we be ok with not having all the answers?
“Your greatest strength begets your greatest weakness” - Shakespeare
Lawyers are driven and sharp individuals who hold responsibility for upholding the law and justice. These characteristics serve as both the strengths and weaknesses of lawyers. As aspiring lawyers, we sometimes assume that ‘only my view is the correct view’, but it is important to accept that no one is perfect.
Lis advises students to look for mentorship opportunities by asking for help. This will help alleviate the burden of carrying the weight on your shoulders alone. Some great opportunities can be found on UTS Careers, or even by asking a fellow student for help.
Can you recommend some wellness strategies to avoid procrastination?
It is important to recognise that the modern-day, overconsumption of technology leads to procrastination. To refocus on important tasks, it is recommended to prepare a schedule the night before in order to plan your next day. This will enable you to make progress in your plan and will allow you to possess control over your time.
Additionally, identify what period of the day that you are the most productive, and set boundaries around those hours. Be dedicated to your focus by breaking your daily goals down into easy steps to make them more attainable.
What are some strategies on how to avoid caring about how other people perceive you?
It is normal to care about other people's opinions as we are inherently hardwired to seek the tribe that we belong to. Thus, this desire for belonging increases the importance of wanting to feel a sense of self-acceptance in a harmonious community. However, it is crucial to manage a ‘hamster in the wheel’ thought process where we inevitably catastrophize certain relationships in our heads.
Journaling helps to shift from our conscious layer of operating and thinking, to the unconscious where we often store past experiences such as feeling unlovable or disconnected. Grabbing a pen and paper and setting aside at least 5 minutes a day to journal gets into the part of our brain that is more primal, letting us accept our own self. This is an exercise which helps to understand our individual emotional process.
Additionally, learning to pause before responding to people is beneficial, especially when you are worried that they have a particular judgement about you. Meditation and exercising helps will allow you to pause and consider your present circumstances in order to get out of the situation you are in.
It is crucial to find like-minded people which is where we learn to be ourselves to embrace our authenticity.
How can students get a strong sense of self-perception?
Learn how to be your own best friend. You have to be kind to yourself because life is unpredictable and constantly changing. Reward yourself during your successes, whether they are small or big. In addition, become aware of your core values as these define your identity. Hence, prioritise the decisions that are healthy for yourself.
If you would like to learn more about Lis or attend one of her classes, feel free to visit her social media:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liscancio/?originalSubdomain=au Website: https://www.liscancio.com.au/ The contents of this article are for the sole purpose of informing readers and should not replace consultation with other qualified mental health providers and/or specialists. If you or another person require mental health support, here are some organisations to reach out to:
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Lifeline: 131 114
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