Like most busy professionals, I get a lot done. I also manage to enjoy large parts of each day. I prioritise time for my family and friends and exercise religiously to support my wellbeing. I’m not some sort of super hero or energiser bunny, and I’m certainly not perfect (trust me, my family would be happy to provide ample evidence of my imperfections.) I do however, have really good, positive habits that work.
Habits are essential to success. People with positive habits will consistently move towards their goals, while those with inconsistent habits will progress much more slowly, if at all. Taking time to set up good habits make life easier and helps nurture your wellbeing and builds resilience. Today I want to share with you some of my habits and hopefully inspire you to develop some of your own.
- Rise early – My day starts before 6am and I wake naturally after getting enough sleep. (Yes, we’re the weird family whose lights are out by 8.30pm every night and are up to see sunrise. LOL)
- Mental health – I grab my dog and head to the beach. It’s generally dark and quiet and my mind ticks over the plans for the day and the beauty of the morning. This time is just for me, it seems to ground me and at the same time connect me to the infinite possibilities of the day.
- Smash out chores – Lunches, washing, cleaning, tidying. I get as much done as I can before as kids get up and sometimes listen to something that inspires me. Either a TED talk or audio book that makes the jobs enjoyable.
- Fuel up –Meals to me are a source of fuel. (Much to my husbands disappointment.) Each week I plan 4 meals, I try to shop once a week and each day I choose what we’ll eat. We also plan on a few easy meals which means we’re well covered for those nights when things blow out.
- Stay organised – Before bed I spend 10 minutes tidying up. Everything gets put away. Part of the joy of having clients come to my home is I have to keep our house presentable. This discipline is easy because I love having a clean and tidy home.
- Catch up days – When I get behind, and trust me I do, I schedule in a catch up day. It’s generally a weekend day and I’ll ship the kids out and just focus on getting things done. I hate feeling overwhelmed and would rather sacrifice a day of the weekend to get on top of things again.
- Move – I love exercise, and funnily enough, the more I exercise the more energy I have. Exercise provides a triple pay back, expending a little self-discipline to exercise increases my energy, improves my focus and enhances my self-discipline in all other areas of my life. I enjoy surfing, climbing, running, yoga, snowboarding, stand up paddling and hiking. Anything outdoors that get’s me moving clears my head and brings me joy. It’s a win-win.
- Work your ‘To Do’ list like a boss – Each afternoon I review my to do list. If it’s become overwhelming I rewrite it (scrapping things that are less important) and make sure I’m doing the things that matter, rather than just the things listed. It’s always next to me and a constant reminder to stay focused.
- Connect – Over dinner we share something we’re grateful for and often at the end of the day I’ll ask them about their strengths. It’s a nice conversation prompt and a lovely way to end our day.
- Reach out – As I’m driving, I’ll call someone in my favourites list. There are 12 contacts, all people I love and reaching out to them just to chat keeps our relationship positive. It’s a great use of my time and an easy way to stay connected.
- Simplify and say ‘NO’ – After travelling, we’re really comfortable with a slower pace. (Actually, we all need it.) So I have no issues saying no, cancelling things or turning down opportunities. This means we limit our commitments and fiercely protect our time together.
- Wind down – I always have a book (or three) on the go. It clears my head and relaxes my mind before bed.
Things don’t always go to plan, but having strong positive habits to fall back on makes life significantly easier. If you need some help or support to develop positive habits send me an email and we can talk over some coaching and mentoring options.
