It’s time. Time to take back control and stop the “busyness!”
See the tried and true techniques below and in the 1-page download for feeling more at peace, even when your calendar is full and there are always too many things on the To-Do list…
The bits and pieces of these actions add up to roughly 20 minutes over the course of each day, and the benefits are uncontested. The only real issue at hand for most everyone: making the commitment to create the habits that will support you better going forward. We’ve all heard that it takes 21 times to create a habit. The sooner you start, the sooner you will be glad you did. Which one will you start with today?
Here are my favorite tried & true tactics to use when I’ve let too much “busy” creep back in so I can get back to “Woo-Hoo!” asap.
1.Check in with your core values. Where have you slipped off track? (With a new client, this is often where we start because there is a huge return immediately.) What is causing the misalignment? Like a mechanic troubleshooting a bumpy ride, go through what’s changed since you felt like things were going more smoothly. Essentially, this one is about broken promises and the damage that cascades down from each time we act out of alignment with our core values and expectations of self.
2.Watch what you say. Stop saying “I’m [so] busy” and replace it with something that has meaning. Even if it’s simple, such as one of my go-to responses to “How are you?” “Things are great. What’s new & exciting with you?” Ask better questions of the other person. Make a connection. Inspire a smile. Set a different tone for yourself and for them.
3.Custom-design your attitude. Want more happy or fun in your days? Find a way to put it back into the ways you think, speak, and act. You CHOOSE how you start each day, how you respond to every situation, and the mood in which you end your day… If you want to feel in control, take control of your attitude.
4. Learn to say “No” without guilt. You cannot be your best at anything if you’re spread too thinly across everything. Identify 2 things right now that you can divest from your calendar (not the stuff from #5!). If you really can’t tackle this one on your own, find a coach, mentor, or therapist and learn how, then fully enjoy the liberation and full living ahead.
5. Fast-track “someday” for stuff that matters to you. Schedule in those things that slipped into the “soon” or “someday” categories. If it’s something you want to do, or someone you want to spend time with, quit making excuses and figure it out. Want more time with loved ones? Schedule it and be present and fully attentive during those moments. Want a vacation? Book it and make the shifts that need to happen so you can leave and comfortably enjoy that time away. Want to take better care of yourself? Schedule that personal training or massage time right now. It’s not so much a luxury as required maintenance.
*EXTRA! 6. Practice mindfulness regularly. This is an extra one, because I confess that I have not yet mastered it to the level I’d like. For me this is a combo done daily of gratitude, yoga, and meditation. The great news is that even done sporadically, the results are often beneficial and immediate. Perhaps I’m still discovering the formula that works best for me, or –more likely- part of me is resisting the commitment because I can sense how much change it will bring. Can you relate to this? I have yet to get past 60 days of regular practice…so I’ve selected this as my next frontier in personal growth. I will make this practice a habit!
Commit to yourself here and now & cement it even more by sharing in the comments below this post- share which one you plan to start with, or your favorite technique for taking back control and overcoming the busyness.
xoxo, Heather
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Doing this has been really helpful. I like these weekly video appointments, having more clarity and purpose, and love having the goals set for each week. I'm grateful for you!"
~N.R., Franchise Owner