Get your priorities straight

I’m talking about your personal priorities.

So many of my coaching clients only want to talk about their work priorities but sometimes I can get them to ease into their personal life.? Your success in business can actually be tied to how you manage your personal life and vice versa.

When I think of personal priorities – I’m primarily referring to my top three:

• Sleep – are you intentionally planning your schedule so you get 7-8 hours of sleep every night?

• Exercise – physically moving your body is also good for your mind.? With the pressures of a busy business life, I always recommend making time at least 5 days a week for some sort of exercise.? Cardio, Stretching and Strength – we need all three as our bodies age.

• Food – we all eat. After all, it’s fuel to keep us going.? But what are your priorities?? Eat only when you are hungry? Eat out of habit? Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables? Fried foods?? Lots of animal protein? Carbonated colas?

There are countless books and articles on the subject of your physical and mental health.? And all the different ways you manage them.

But my goal is to have you consider that how you take care of your body is reflected in your success in both your personal and business life.

If you say you have so much work to do that you don’t have time to get 7-8 hours of sleep, let me share a little secret with you.? You will be more productive when you are well rested and sleep consistently.? If you have to get up at 6am each day, start getting ready for bed at 9:30pm.? You will be asleep by 10pm….and voila 8 hours of sleep. It is amazing how much clearer you are after a full night’s sleep.

If you say you don’t have time to exercise, then mark 30 minutes on your calendar to take a walk around your office or home.? 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon.? And, find a friend who likes to take a brisk walk and do it together.? I have many friends who hold their internal business meetings while taking a walk together.??

**Benefit:? you don’t have to meet behind closed doors and worry if people can hear your conversation.

And if you say you don’t really give a thought to what you are eating until you are starving, then I say, you can order healthy, pre-made meals and have them delivered to your home or office.? I have found when I eat healthy, whole foods (vs fast food, salty or sweet snacks), I actually feel better.? And I have a more consistent level of energy during the day. It’s so easy to grab something chocolate or salty when you need a little “something” – but for me, regret comes quickly.

My partner Jack and I started seeing a nutritionist this past Saturday – it was Jack’s idea, as he was frustrated with exercise alone not giving him results physically..? He is not hitting the golf ball as far as he used to, and? he found himself fatigued at the end of almost every work day.? By working with a professional, who could advise us on changing our eating habits (more protein, less simple carbs), guide us in exercising (use a foam roller first, then strength, and then cardio), we are already feeling the benefits of smart modifications.

When you put on clothes, do they fit the way they used to? Have you become a couch potato and find yourself lethargic at the end of the day or on the weekends?

Then, how about tackling your personal priorities?? Remember, you only have one body and it has to last you a lifetime.

Onward and upward,

Karen

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