Loving Others, Loving You
February 2009
Valentines Day is always the perfect time to send your love to those who are truly important to you. Whether it's a card, a handwritten love note or speaking how you feel from the heart, you've take the time to show you care! We all love to be appreciated and noticed for our good efforts.
Now, let's send some love to the MOST important person in your life, YOU! When you make yourself a priority, taking care of your mind, body and spirit, you are making the world a better place. When you feel good, are energized and inspired - you bring more positivity, hope and enthusiasm to the world.
Here are some suggestions on how you can "love you" when it comes to self-care:
- "Your Time" is Important Too - Your exercise and self-care time are just as important as meetings you schedule. I bet you don't blow off appointments you make with others. Practice setting boundaries and saying "no" when it's your scheduled self-care time.
- Have a Goal - Lose ten pounds. Meditate 3x/week. Write a book. Create a plan with specific action steps each week that will allow you to reach your goal on a reasonable schedule, have room for setbacks and include some rewards along the way to help you stay on track.
- Sign Up for a Race - Be bold. Do something you've never done before. Sign up for a triathlon. Register for a marathon. Try a 10K race or 5K race. Having a race is very motivating to stay on track with your exercise. You want to finish and say "I did it!" You want to be prepared so you are not injured. You learn how to overcome mental roadblocks you create for yourself. Yes, it can be scary to commit to something unfamiliar, and you can do it! "Only those who dare to fail greatly can achieve greatly." - Robert F. Kennedy
- Recruit a Buddy - When we have support, with accountability (what I will do and by when), we are 95% more likely to achieve our goals. When we exercise or start something new, having a buddy to do it with, makes it more likely to happen.
- Declutter Your Home & Work Space - If you have piles around your house or in your office, it's hard to think straight. How can you be inspired to take time for yourself when it always feels like there's more "to do."
- Use Your Calendar - Schedule appointments to exercise, take a class, meditate, have play time and stick to it. Tell a friend what you are up to so you "name it and claim it."
- Be Kind to Yourself - When you miss a deadline and or don't follow through on your self-care plan, forgive yourself instead of beating yourself up. Recommit and start again right away. Encourage yourself, instead of criticizing yourself. You will foster a more positive mindset, become more accepting of yourself and are more likely to forge ahead with your goals.
Food for Thought:
- How do you get in the way of your own consistent self-care?
- What would be different in your life if you scheduled exercise in your calendar five days a week and followed through?
- "It's never crowded along the extra mile." - Wayne Dyer
Contact Andrea to see how coaching can help you value yourself enough to make your well-being a priority. See how others have made Wellness Coaching work for them. Try a complimentary 30-minute coaching call and take a "test drive."
847-971-3643 / andrea@hgcoaching.com
