Ok 2022, you are finally here and….we are still trying to get through this pandemic. It feels like it is never going to end, but really, it is a season…..a really, really, hard season….that will pass some day. In the meantime, we need to make sure we actually get through this season in one piece. So, I thought this would be a good time to look at the lifestyle of a leader and how we can focus on ourselves so that we can support others. And yes…you need to focus on you too. You know that old saying, “You can’t pour from a glass that is empty,” well, it is true. Let’s look at some ways we can focus on you this year so we can smash 2022 out of the park.
As each day passes, it may feel like a slog. All of the decisions you have to make, the pivots (I know, I am sick of that word too), the changes, the protocols, etc. that are constantly barraging your day. It can make you feel tired, frustrated, overwhelmed, and more. In fact, I started to feel older than I was this past year. And when I really thought about it, I realized that each day really was passing me by as I was trying to catch up. I realized that I wasn’t enjoying each day or really living it. I was just letting myself grow old without appreciating the youthfulness of the present. All of these thoughts occurred to me when I heard that one of my all time favorite actresses, Betty White had passed away. When I thought about her, I thought of her youthfulness even though she was 99. It made me think of Sophia Lorenz as well. Both of these ladies embraced life and all of the challenges that came with it. They enjoyed aging but never felt old and worn out. In fact, Sophia Lorenz’ states that “There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of the people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will have truly defeated age.” Of course! I realized that I was missing this mindset. This quote made me think of us as leaders and no… I am not saying that all leaders are old. But it did make me think of the mindset and that fountain of youth and energy that we are constantly seeking. It was time to make some plans so that I could rejuvenate and restore myself and so, I thought I would share my list of how I was going to dive into that fountain through focusing on some things I could do for myself.
I went straight to brainstorming a list of things that were draining me. Next, I chose a few at the top of the list and I started to knock them off with a plan and a change in mindset. Once I completed a plan to focus on those top three things that were really taking away my joy, I instantly felt better. However, I still had to make them happen. So I did what I always do in my leadership….I scheduled them into my calendar and made an appointment with myself consistently so that I could tap into that fountain of youth and energy again. I made a promise to myself that I was worth it and therefore I needed to make a date with myself. I have been doing this for the last three years and it has changed everything….including how I deal with my mindset during a pandemic. The top things on my list this past year were: messy house and office, no energy, losing passion and purpose, and bloated stomach and guts. Below is a list of how I tackled these things so that they no longer drained me:
Item on my Yuck List: Messy House and Office
Plan: Organize and Declutter Your Space – I was realizing that there were a few things in my home, my office, and my computer that drove me crazy every time I looked at it. My desk drawers were always cluttered with paper and stuff shoved into each corner because the day got away from me. My mudroom was always a disaster from kids running in and out and it stressed me out every time I walked through the door into my home. My computer screen was always filthy with dust and fingerprints and my desktop was cluttered where I wasted so much time finding things. So for me, these were huge areas of stress that I never addressed because I was too busy doing other things. Well, not anymore. I needed to get a handle on these things so I scheduled in my calendar when I would declutter and organize these spaces and I made it happen. I purchased desk drawer organizers for my desk just for me and I went to work getting rid of all of the stuff that stressed me out. I designed a control center in the mudroom where the kids put important notes, a family calendar, and chore list and made a corner for each kid to hang their stuff and a bin for items so they were not strewn everywhere. I purchased a course for myself that taught me how to organize my digital files so that I could finally get a handle on my digital world. Once I focused on myself and what was bothering me, I instantly felt lighter and happier. And so far….one year in, I have sustained it.
Item on my Yuck List: No Energy
Plan: Decide on One Challenge Either Personally or Professionally That You Want To Tackle This Year – On my list of things that were really bugging me, I realized that I was guilt of constantly making excuses not to do things that I really wanted to do. I had a few things on my bucket list that constantly were at the top of my mind. Yet, I never really tried to tackle them because I was always making excuses that I didn’t have time. Things like writing a book or running a half marathon. I wanted to hit one of those milestones this year. I decided this year was the year of focusing on a challenge for me personally over professional. Usually, I choose something in my line of work to challenge me such as creating a course for leaders or leading three professional development days in the year, etc. But this year I wanted to do a health challenge. I decided to do Robin Arzon’s running challenge to prepare my mindset to realize that I could actually run a half marathon. I have been making a lot of excuses not to run that distance and so I decided to do something about it. Her challenge is to run 3 miles for 31 days straight. When I heard about that challenge, I decided that would be the perfect thing to do to convince myself that I was capable of running longer distances and I was up for the training. I wanted to try something I had never done before. Currently, I am on day 21 of that challenge and still chugging through it. I am determined that I will complete it because it has already given me so much energy and confidence that I can do hard things.
Item on my Yuck List: Losing Passion and Purpose
Plan: Decide On A Passion Of Yours and Make It Happen By Spending Time On It – As I made my list, I realized that I didn’t really have any passions on it. It was all work. Leadership is also a passion but I didn’t have anything on there just for me. I knew that was a big reason why I was losing energy and wasting my youthful days. Not anymore. I decided on one passion that I really want to make happen this year. I used Michael Hyatt’s goal setting roadmap to develop a plan to actually make it happen through steps. He says to summarize your goal into a very specific statement. Next, write down your motivation for it. Once you have that, determine your next steps to reach that goal with a deadline and a reward at the end. So for me, I wanted to build a community of mamas who lead groups in business or personally. I decided my goal was to develop a monthly membership (that didn’t cost a lot) that mamas who lead could join in order to connect and mastermind with. I set up the motivation as an opportunity to learn and grow with other like-minded mamas. My steps consisted of setting up the membership through four facets of focus – masterclasses on business, parenting, and lifestyle, hacks on life, live Q and As and Zooms, and templates with systems. My next step was to build a sales page and set up a launch date. Lastly, I would send it out to the world and see what happens. My reward was to have a community that I could really build and grow with….and of course, a spa day at the end of it all. So do this for yourself, make a plan for your passion to happen and see the energy and youthfulness that restores your already tired mind and body. I promise this one alone is worth it!
Item on my Yuck List: Constantly Feeling Bloated
Plan: Focus on What You Put Into Your Body – Ok, I love food and I love wine. It really does fulfill me, for a moment but the feeling of bloated guts and fullness seemed to always make an appearance after certain meals. It was making me miserable so I dug into that part of my life too and was at the top of my list. Once I realized that I was spending too much time in the enjoyment and overindulging area of food and wine, I decided that it perhaps wasn’t actually helping me, but maybe it was making me feel worse. My guts were at the top of my list of things that made me grumpy. When I took a deeper look into it, I realized that I needed to figure out the food that was better for my stomach. Once I realized what was better for my own stomach, I decided to make a plan to eat more of that food (like on the weekdays) and less of the food that bothered me. I also dedicated myself to do two 24 hour liver cleanses a year. This cleans is an entire car wash of my gut to improve my gut flora. I hate them but they are quick and ugly and super effective. They are an instant shiny car new feeling for your body and an infusion of restoration and energy….once they are over. Next, I went to a Natural Flow doctor and had her recommend some vitamins for me so I could maintain and enhance my overall health. If feeling tired and bloated are on your list, then look at what you are putting into your body and see if one small change might not make you feel better. By the way….I still drink wine, just not as often or as much and it has definitely helped my sleep and stomach.
So there you have it! A system for taking care of you so that you can help others! Here are your action steps. Make that list of yuck and then choose the top three things that are making you miserable. Set up a plan to tackle them and then….yep, you guessed it….schedule it into your calendar all year long. Heck set deadlines too! We all know if it is in your calendar, it actually happens and that deadlines create a sense of urgency. Action sets things into motion and it will instantly shorten your yuck list so get started. It will be hard but you are a leader and you were born to do hard things….and this time it is you doing something for you.
Also, I love to give systems away to help you with all things leadership, lifestyle and life. Be sure to download my free guide to Reframing How You Show Up For Yourself. I promise it will help you with your yuck list!
Even If You Miss..... 