There are so many rules we follow just because someone else said we should but what about making your own rules about how you want to live your life?
I was hanging out with my sister this morning and we were talking about how she is really paying attention to what she eats and how the food makes her feel.
I told her that I do that all the time and she responded, “well not everyone does that Gail” and I agree. We all create our own food rules. And we don’t even realize it we go through the motions and don’t give a lot of thought to why we do what we do.
Our conversation started me thinking about how back in the day I had specific rules for following the “success track.” Keep in mind they were spelled out to me by someone else. What rules for success were laid out for you when you were growing up?
Were you told that you had to graduate from high school with good grades so you could go to college and become a doctor, lawyer, teacher, engineer, nurse, or accountant?
Society sends indirect messages that let us know you should aspire to get married, have a big house with a white picket fence and 2.5 children and go on vacation once a year then you work somewhere for 30 – 40 years, retire and sit on the porch and get old.Well how is that working for you?
More than likely you haven’t gotten to retirement age yet, but has life thrown you a curve ball and sidetracked your “success track”?
Now don’t get me wrong that success track has worked for some, but it didn’t work for me. I’m way off track and I love my life. What’s going on with your life?
I challenge you to start being gentler with yourself and give yourself a break if you have gotten off track because where you are is right where you are supposed to be. I’m proud of you for continuing to put yourself out there and course correcting when necessary so you can create the life that feels right in your spirit.
Over the years I’ve created my own definition of success. I’ve learned through overcoming numerous health challenges that without my body I have no life. Success for me is measured by getting up daily and setting the intention to take care of the beautiful home my spirit lives in.
Success to me is being grateful because I woke up today and have the opportunity to see one more day. Success for me is free will. I can choose how I want to live my life and then get out there and make it happen. I know that sounds simplistic, but if you don’t live with intention and take care of your body what will your life be?
Here are 8 Strategies to get you on your own Success Track:
- Feed your body good food. Not just food that tastes good, but food that is good for your body.
- Get enough sleep. You will find it a lot easier to focus at work if you are well rested.
- Get out in the sun. Get outside and get some sun and fresh air every day. Sunlight boosts serotonin—a neurotransmitter that regulates appetite, sleep, memory, and mood. Sunlight also helps with increasing your vitamin D level which is low in most of us
- Make meditation a daily ritual – I know it’s hard to sit still and do nothing for 10 – 20 minutes but think about the benefits. Meditation will help you focus better and will help you relax.
- Have more fun! – Whatever makes your soul sing do more of it
- Do something creative – I saw a report on the news that more coloring books are sold for adults than for children. There are many adult coloring book options out there.
- Day Dream – Allow yourself to use your imagination like you did when you were a child. Write your dreams down in a journal or create a vision board with pictures that represent your dreams. Remember “Where there is no vision the people perish” Proverbs 29:18
- Create a morning routine – there is power in having a plan for your day. If you set up a simple morning routine you are more likely to stick to it. An example is: 10 minutes writing in your journal what you are grateful for; 10 minutes stretching/exercising and 10 minutes meditating.
I challenge you to try applying some of these strategies on a daily basis. Life just may start to look a lot different and you just might decide that you are ready to define success in your own terms and get on your own “Success Track”.
Just remember to be kind and gentle with yourself. If you don’t do it who else will?
G
ail Allen is an Intuitive Healer and Wellness Evangelist who gives you all the tools you need to not only get your body back, but to reclaim your magnificence! She is the creator of the 21 Day Self-Care Challenge where she has helped over 2,000 women focus on slowing down and taking care of their own wellbeing. She is the founder of www.GailKAllen.com
