Lessons from 2020
One of the other lessons I was reminded of in 2020 was that time is such a valuable commodity. In order to get the most of each day, choose to live intentionally. Here is what I mean by that:
5 ways to live more intentionally
Plan your work and work your plan - a good friend of mine shared this old adage with me. It seemed easy at first. I struggled with it for years until I realized how many habits I was changing. Breaking it down into smaller chunks (like eating an elephant)allowed me to accomplish small goals. I started with figuring what I valued most. Those 5-7 values create a guidepost in making decisions on where I spent my time. I looked at the goals I wanted to accomplish that supported those values. Take control of your day by focusing on what's important, not just what is screaming the loudest. If you say yes to a task not on your list, it better be worth it.
Put your thoughts on self control. In the study of emotional intelligence we learn that we have 2 brain systems. One that is fast, developed in prehistoric times to keep us safe by making quick assessment of the danger we were facing. The trouble with that system is that it has a higher probability of being wrong than the slower system in our brain. The slower system is logical, more analytical, with a higher probability of being right. We have the ability to stop the fast system and choose the slower one. There is a right time for each brain system. Choose purposely.
Take care of your self- meditate, sleep, exercise, eat right. When I facilitate work/ life balance programs I want to focus on 3 areas of each participants life - (Career, Family, and Self). The Self component is almost always the last to get attention. The irony is that our family and professional lives will suffer if we don't properly take care of ourselves. The value of a good night's sleep, a balanced diet, getting our bodies active and centered has been scientifically proven. It is about changing habits again (some of them lifelong habits). I started a plan in 1983 called my "Getting your act together" plan that took me 20 years to complete. Rome wasn't built in a day, but they were laying bricks every day. One step at a time.
Grateful list - gratitude allows us to access joy amidst our plethora of unfulfilled goals. We are proposing that you become a goal oriented person in order to be more intentional. If you set 10 goals and they are yet to be completed, it can wear on your self confidence. Balancing that out with a regular review of what things you have in your life today is vital. We did this exercise as a family over a Holiday season when our children were still at home. It was an amazing experience share and understand what each of us really valued.
Do what you said you would do, period! If you make a promise to someone, keep it. If you aren't going to, apologize, and take personal responsibility.
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