Most of us are running faster than the speed of light. Every day. We’re trying to build our careers, be leaders in our industries, and stay ahead of the curve in every way while maintaining a home life at the same time. We’re rushed and we’re pressed to perform beyond our best every minute of every day. Keeping up with current events and the latest in technology just adds to the mountainous heap of obligations. It’s a lot. It often is too much.
Today, I want to talk to you about putting yourself first and making consistent space for yourself. We simply cannot afford to lose a day here and there simply because we are not taking care of ourselves – mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
How many times have you said, “When things slow down, I will …” Or, maybe you have said, “When I close this deal, I am going to …” Or, you might have been thinking, “When I hire my next [insert job title], I am definitely going to …”
We’re all trying hard. We really are. Many of us wake up early and rush out of the house only to find ourselves working late and then coming home to another full-time job – the family. By the time evening rolls around, we are spent. After a short few hours of sleep, we do it all over again the next day. It feels like Groundhog Day!
But, the ONE thing that does and will affect your career in a dire way HAS to be recognized and avoided. You are most likely not taking any time for yourself. You will burn out. You will be surviving on fumes. You cannot and will not be at your sharpest when you need to be: at the moment of critical decision making. You will not be keeping yourself poised to grow your business, maintain your business and personal relationships or manage your family life.
Today, I want to give you ONE idea to refuel, grow and increase your sharpness throughout the day. It will seem SO simple that many of you will immediately blow it off or deem it too simple to be effective. And yet it is both simple and effective. I have seen it be a life-changer over and over again for many friends, colleagues, clients and even for myself.
Here it is:
Regardless of when you wake up in the morning, have a morning routine that includes YOU. I want you to wake up 10 minutes earlier and take time for YOU and only YOU.
NO work, no email, no texts. Don’t even turn on your phone or glance at your computer. I want you to do one or more of the following:
- Do nothing. Just sit and breathe
- Walk around your home
- Go for a walk outside
- Sit in a chair and just chill out and relax for 10 minutes
- Meditate
- Write in a journal or idea book
- Read a novel (no biz books!)
- Have a cup of coffee, while sitting in your favorite spot, and drink it in silenceHere is what you DON’T do: email, business, work.
This is simply time for you. Only you.
That’s it. How easy is that? Well, it may not be easy for some of you at all. You are used to putting yourself last and possibly have been for years. I am asking you to start your day differently: Put yourself first.
Please try it for at least three days and let me know how it works.
Not convinced? Think about it this way: On a flight, the flight attendant instructs you to put your oxygen mask on first, before helping others. Why is this an important rule for ensuring survival? Because if you run out of oxygen, you can’t help anyone else with theirs. When you run out of oxygen, you can’t survive and neither can those who look to you for assistance, guidance, strength.
If you don’t take care of yourself, you will burn out. You will experience stress. And, you will not be at your sharpest to grow your business and make critical decisions. Tear down that speed-of-light pace for just 10 short minutes every day and position yourself for success from the start. You owe it to your business, your employees, your family. You owe it to yourself.
Think Big!
Jon
