Take some time to assess how you are
THERE ISN’T a one-size fits all for wellbeing. While we all have a body, a mind and a purpose, our lives, our nature, our starting points and our desires and what we enjoy differs. What prepares you to best fulfil your purpose day-to-day and in life will differ from those you live and work with. And it may also differ year-to-year and monthto-month with you depending on what is going on in your life and where you want to go next.
I had a very interesting discussion last week with a former sports person who now works in business. Forty years ago, physical fitness was a very big part of his life as a competitive athlete and later as a sports coach.
He still coaches sport but now mainly works as a mentor and business man. These days, His primary focus for his fitness is his mind – and he works to ensure it is fired up, strong, balanced and flexible. He is hardworking, fulfilled, happily married and performing consistently at a high level in work and in life. He enjoys happy relationships with family friends, clients and his teams. He is thriving.
Self-care is key to prepare you to thrive. Are you doing the right type of self-care to support you to realise your potential in your life in a sustainable way. There are different elements. There are many recommendations about what we should eat and how much exercise and the range of other things we should and should not do. These all have their place but it can feel confusing at times.
It is important to adapt habits to what suits your circumstances, health, personality and lifestyle and purpose.
There are different areas of our life. We have a body. We have a mind. We have a purpose. There is also financial, creative, emotional and social wellbeing. What are you doing for your self-care? Are you neglecting any area? If you are what changes could you make? If you are stressed or out of balance in any area, that is the area to look at first and make small changes. Start by giving an extra 15 minutes a day to your own-wellbeing. Much of the time the biggest improvements do not take time but are to do with mind-set or actions. If you are always giving out to yourself, stop. The quality of our self-talk is a major factor in personal wellbeing.
If lacking in any area, develop better lifestyle habits in that area – in terms of sleep, nutrition or wherever the gap is.
The important thing for each of us to remember is to take care of yourself and to check in regularly to make sure that is happening. If any area of your life is stressing you unreasonably or bringing you out balance or preventing you from being at your best in other areas, that is what to look at first. One problem area will negatively affect all areas.
I have met people who are seemingly physically fit but have difficulty dealing with life. Ultimately self-care and wellbeing involves being well in all areas. If you are handling things well, they will go well ultimately.
Take a few minutes today to assess how you are, physically mentally emotionally, socially, spiritually and financially. Are there changes you need to make? If there are, start today. Start with one change. Integrate it. Don’t get overwhelmed. Neuroscience has proven that it is through small consistent changes that we transform ourselves and our lives most effectively. And then repeat.
Life is for living. Good self-care and wellbeing helps us make the most of ourselves and being alive.