During my coaching sessions, I tell clients that they need to think about who their work will serve as a way to stay motivated. I believe that serving is an important element of Living Full Out. That said, those of us who are great at giving to others are often not so good at giving to ourselves.
I see it all of the time. Caring people taking care of those they love, volunteering for multiple causes, doing favors for neighbors and friends but forgetting to take time for their own rejuvenation. Sometimes the excuses sound convincing: “I can’t go out to dinner with friends because I am saving money for my daughter’s birthday party.” “I miss going to the gym but I’m so busy with my volunteering I just don’t have time.” “I am really busy at work right now.” Yet, if you keep giving and giving but never give to yourself, you will burn out. And then you can’t give to anyone.
Some people avoid doing things for themselves because they are unhappy with where they are at in life. They can’t justify treating themselves well because they feel they have to right all of their wrongs first. That logic is completely backwards! The best way to feed your confidence is to talk to friends over coffee and share your concerns, or go take that tough gym class you have been avoiding and see that you survived it. Do something to put yourself in a calm, satisfied mindset so that when you get to work on life’s challenges, you come from a place of “I can do this!”
Essentially, when you are good to yourself, life will be good to you. This can mean taking time to grow through education, throwing yourself into exercising or learning a new hobby. You can simply reserve personal time during a busy day of commitments. Being good to yourself doesn’t mean you have to spend money, either. Taking 30 minutes to read a book can be very fulfilling. Or just wandering your public library and picking something that looks interesting can be quite meditative and satisfying.
While Living Full Out is about going after your life in a big way, it is also important to recharge your mind and body and give it time to simply be. This precious time is dedicated to reviving your passions and relaxing your mind. If you miss taking time for yourself, you don’t allow your body, mind and soul to refresh and prepare for the adventures that are ahead of you. It is easy to peter out if you are not careful and don’t give yourself the opportunity to laugh, take deep breaths and enjoy yourself. Otherwise you run the risk of working really hard and then later wondering what it was all for, since you feel tired and disconnected. You are the captain of your ship and while responsibilities are inevitable and reaching our goals may take a lot of hard work, you must also take your foot off the pedal just long enough to recharge and reconnect with yourself.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Not sure how to treat yourself well? I’d love to help you! Contact me at info @ livingfullout.com.
{ 0 comments… add one now }