So much of attaining success is being receptive to it, not giving up, and taking the time to nourish your body and mind. Here’s what we’re doing to get ourselves in the mindset for success. If you’d like to join us in a support and accountability group, email Candace for more info! We’re kicking off a 21-day nutrition and exercise challenge starting in October and would love you to do it along with us.
1. The forces affecting our lives are in a constant state of change these days.
“The impatient idealist says: ‘Give me a place to stand and I shall move the earth.’ But such a place does not exist. We all have to stand on the earth itself and go with her at her pace.” - Chinua Achebe
The situation may be overwhelming, but coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. The challenge is to maintain focus & balance in the face of chaos. Prioritize what you spend energy on, and tackle the most important and challenging things first. Whatever challenges you the most, do it when you’re at peak performance.
Suggested reading: The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal
2. When working, take planned mental breaks and meditate to reduce brain chatter and stay focused.
First of all, we recommend meditating or taking a mental break for 10-15 minutes per day. Brief mental breaks can help you stay focused when the break ends, and stick to one task for a longer amount of time.
But if you aren’t into meditation, what is a ‘mental break’? Stop what you’re doing to switch from a mental task to a physical one, or vice versa. Consider stepping outside for a moment, having a nice stretch, or prepare yourself a cup of tea.
Even just a 20-30 minute workout video can get you out of your head and into your body, electrifying that incredible mind-body connection. We love the wide variety of guided workouts on the BeachBody program.
3. Consider listening to a podcast or reading more, especially fiction or something very different from your day-to-day existence.
Words-only entertainment causes your brain to imagine yourself somewhere else, which can trick your brain into giving your worries a rest. Your every-day world melts away, which can leave you feeling refreshed.
If you’re partial to video, consider watching something that involves a setting nothing like your daily life – whether that’s a travel-themed reality TV show, historical drama, or an epic fantasy sci-fi. Keep in mind though that unlike videos, podcasts and reading both remove the glowing screen, which is so famous for disrupting our circadian rhythm and causing eye fatigue over time.
4. Flex like bamboo and make peace with uncertainty.
What if instead of stress, it was a challenge? Instead of “everything is up in the air”, you see it as an adventure?
If you go on a diet or exercise regimen, you manage to face it as if it’s a challenge or an adventure because you’re willingly entering into it. But if it were a surprise addition to your life, you would be more likely to see it as a stressful upheaval of your life. If you can apply this mindset to our changing times these days, imagine the reduction in anxiety you would manifest.
Having a foundation of good nutrition helps your body flex like bamboo to accept what comes your way with strength and grace. We love the vegan chocolate shake, regular vanilla shake, and regular chocolate shakes.
This can help remove the paralyzation of second-guessing yourself to the point of inaction. Sometimes it’s better to do something than nothing. By being flexible and reducing pressure on yourself, you can take the first steps to get that forward momentum moving. Being flexible and welcoming the unknown encourages you to release the desire to control everything. Getting started is the first step to a goal. Perfect is the enemy of done.
5. For big decisions, take your time and make sure you clear your mind before pulling the trigger.
“When making a decision, make a habit of consciously considering your stress level at the time. Are you feeling rushed? Are you tired? Are you having personal problems? Formalize reminders of how different kinds of anxiety affect your decisions and the consequences of those judgments.” – Jamie Holmes, author of Nonsense: The Power of Not Knowing
6. If you start to get overwhelmed, remember to focus on your core values and how they’re guiding your decisions.
Evaluate your to-do list to make sure you’re spending time and energy on things that will get you closer to your life goals, or attaining your dreams. Maybe that task or project can wait one more day so you can meet an important deadline, savor a romantic moment, or bond with your children with a fun and engaging activity.
Just don’t forget to acknowledge procrastination and the role that your career or work plays in the ability for you to provide for, or enjoy, those things you hold most precious. It’s all about balance.
7. Take a deep breath. You got this.
Accept uncertainty and try to be flexible. Prioritize what deserves your focus and time – let your core values guide where you spend your energy. Take breaks and consider word-only entertainment that takes you somewhere different.
8. By strengthening your mind and body, you will be better equipped to welcome the chaos as an adventure.
This is why we’re embarking on this intentional adventure and invite you to join us – the 21 day challenge!
YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR CHALLENGE!
21 DAYS OF HEALTH AND EXERCISE, A GIFT FROM YOU TO YOU.
We’re challenging ourselves to be clean and mean for 3 weeks – eating healthy and exercising daily. We’re starting the BeachBody 21 Day Fix, and invite you to do the same program with us, or do your own thing and just join us for accountability for 21 days starting in October. Email Candace to learn more about how to join us! We’ll tell you how to sign up for the exact challenge that we’re going to do, or you can create your own plan to focus on health and wellness in those 21 days and just follow along with us for support and accountability. We hope you can join us! Email Candace Now
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