Hey Chris,
You know we’re close to 120 days into 2022 and while I started off with a bang, I’ve already started to lose sight of balance and taking care of myself.
I’m really good about focusing on my work and accomplishing the goals I’ve set for this year. In fact, I’m making incredible progress!
Yay me!
However, just when spring is about sprung, I’ve lost all of my self-care practices that got me through this first quarter.
I know success is all about “balance” and this self-care piece is what I don’t seem to have a handle on.
How can I stay motivated and inspired to create and maintain self care routines so that I have a greater sense of balance while building a business and a life?
Signed,
Walking that tightrope
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Tightrope Walker,
Nothing frustrates a business owner more than not having complete and utter control over EVERYTHING.
Including balance and self-care.
I know, first-hand, that as a business owner you have complete and utter control over practically NOTHING.
Your thoughts can get in the way, your actions can get in the way, a change in market appetites can get in the way, a thunderstorm can get in the way…
Point made?
When it comes to creating and maintaining self care routines that serve you, it ALL begins with making it as much a priority as success in your business is to you.
That’s where you start…but not where you stop.
There are lots of ways to “routinize” your self care. I’ll share what I do and offer some suggestions, but I’ll rely on your knowing yourself, knowing your limitations and knowing how true the need is for you, to move forward with some meaningful changes.
There are two major areas I’ve identified in my own life that are critical to my self care and any meaningful success I can achieve.
- One, my spiritual/mental health. I use meditation, daily and journaling weekly, as a means of taking care of this area of my life. I decided to get up a half an hour earlier, just so I can sit quietly in mediation. I keep a journal near my mediation bench to capture the insights I’ve received. It’s truly been a game changer.
- Two, my physical health. At lunch, I will leave my desk and exercise. I’m fortunate, because I’m old-school and have VHS and DVD programs that give me a 20-40 minute workout. I even invested in a Fitbit to track my efforts. I devote this time, 4 days a week, because it supports my number one!
I’ve plugged these areas into my day, so that it doesn’t interfere with my day job, nor my work with Beat Self-Defeat. That’s why I am able to be consistent and truly “routine” in my self care practice.
Begin by identifying the areas of your life that are critical to your self care. It could be more than spiritual, mental and physical. It could be your finances, improving your environment, relationships, etc.
Next, where can you “program” time to focus on these areas into your day? It doesn’t have to be every day at a particular time. I have meetings that will cause me to shift my workout time, but I shift it I don’t cancel it. I bet there is a window of time that would be powerful for you, to plug in your self care routine, if you truly care about yourself and your business.
Step 1: To avoid overwhelm and feel the power of a successful shift toward balance, choose one area to identify as critical.
Step 2: Program the time into your day to give it your undivided and powerful focus.
Heck, I was exercising for about a year before getting up that extra half an hour to meditate. I think the exercise actually helped!
One thing to start, and then build on it. You’ll find success comes more easily that way.
Get off the tightrope, my friend and embrace the fullness that is possible in your business, and more importantly, your life when you truly take care of yourself.
~ Fear nothing. Love everything.
