Are you one of those people who has to schedule everything? I most certainly am. My life is dictated a bit by my phone and I am okay with that, because without a calendar and reminder, I would let a lot of things slide.
When I make a goal, I schedule it as well. I make time for the things that are important. I schedule my days when I pick up my kids from school, I schedule events months ahead, and as a busy working parent, I schedule in my workouts and my down time.
“You gotta make it a priority to make your priorities a priority.”-Richie Norton
So many of us are trying to find a way through life’s many twists and turns, health issues, family issues and it becomes so overwhelming to try to deal with all these things on our plates, that we often feel like we might crack under the pressure. We schedule everything in our life and our family’s life, so why don’t we schedule in time just to breathe?
“They say, timing is everything. But then they say, there is never a perfect time for anything.”-Anthony Liccione
Timing is everything and when it comes to dealing with the issues at hand, the perfect time is NOW. I know that word Now is so uncomfortable. It is so much easier to put things off. We can lie and say we don’t have enough time, but really, that isn’t the case. When it comes to getting healthy and dealing with what is preventing us from making progress, is there anything on your calendar that you can honestly say is more important?
“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” -Stephen Covey
In the beginning, this goal of self-care might seem incredibly overwhelming, so aim for 1 hour a week. This hour can be spent sitting quietly and meditating, doing yoga, going for a walk and/or listening to an enlightening podcast. This hour can go to setting up a place in your home where mindfulness can happen, a cleared out corner, a few cushions to sit or lay on, your phone and headphones so you can listen to classical music or maybe a guided meditation. An eye pillow is lovely to block out unwanted visuals so that remaining focused is possible.
It is essential to block out this hour and guard it carefully, let your family know this is your time and that one hour a week plus travel time is very little to ask for and you are in fact not asking them, but telling them. If you are the main caretaker, the other thing to schedule is a babysitter for this time. The more excuses you can make, the less likely you are going to make this time a priority.
Remember to be gentle and kind to yourself, give yourself the type of support you aim to provide others. We are at the beginning of the year, this is a great time to set new goals and make them happen!
Committed to your success,
Keith Wimsett
Inspire Personal Fitness
