Archive for the ‘Passive Income’ Category

Recent two week trip to Brazil

I have decided to put myself on the top of this list.

  This is an idea I received from a dear friend, who now is battling breast cancer for the second time.  How many of us continue to put everyone’s needs before our own only to remain frustrated and ofter exhausted that our own needs are not being met?

I am challenging everyone who reads this blog to join me in a “Self Care Experiment” for the next 60 days by putting yourself on the top of the list and creating a “self care routine”.  I have read lots of books on this topic, taken programs, purchased planners.  It seems like I start out enthusiastic, with the best intentions, and then life happens, and sooner or later, I end up at the bottom of the list again.  What about you?

There are three parts to this exercise. 

1. First of all take out a pen and paper, and list out all the things in your life that you are currently tolerating, that are simply unacceptable.  Then prioritize the list and just pick the one thing that would make the biggest difference in your life and start there.  We will come back to that list later, so don’t throw it away.  I am launching a new program in 2010, so stay tuned for details soon.
2. Now take action on that one item and start by putting that one thing on the top of your list and give it the highest priority every day by scheduling time in your planner to do this one item.  Plan everything else around this item. 
3. Next you are going to tell others (family, assistant, friends) that you are doing this one thing and ask them to hold you accountable and to support you.  Let them know how important this is for you.  Also, tell us what this one thing is and how you are going to make it work.

For me, this one thing is going to my Better Backs yoga class every single day.  The class is only 10 minutes away, and I can go attend at 8:45 or 11 am every morning, seven days a week.  So far, I have kept my promise to myself for the last three days.  It takes 30 days to create a habit, and I hope by going every day for the next 30 days, it will become a habit and a part of my daily routine, just like cleaning my teeth.

I believe that going to yoga will have the biggest impact on me because of the high level of stress I have in my life right now.  Besides running a business, and a household with two teenage girls, four cats, and two dogs, I have been caring for my mom with Dementia.  This week, my mom was put into Hospice so my yoga class has helped me focus on my breathing and remain more relaxed and focused.

Besides the reduced stress level, I look forward to seeing the physical changes in my body since I am going to Costa Rica in March.  I have another century to live, and I want to be in the best shape possible physically, mentally and spiritually.  I will be posting regularly to hold myself accountable. 

Today is my third day of going to my yoga class and I am so excited about how I am feeling.  I don’t see it as a chore, but as a pleasure…that’s why I am doing it every day.  When asked how he finds time to meditate every day Michael Beckwith says that his life revolves around his meditation.   

If you would like to join me in the “Self Care Experiment”, tell me what you are committed to.  The first step in any journey is the most difficult.  If you run into roadblocks, share them with me here, and I will help you work out solutions.