EVERY SINGLE DAY
My best friend and life coach Alex recently talked me off a steep ledge. Not the Grand Canyon or anything. Just a sharp drop—a few curbs high. Maybe the height of a play structure designed for 8 to 12-year-olds. This metaphorical ledge was family-related (hence the play structure reference). I had just returned from a business trip, was fighting a chest cold, and it was the first week of school for both of my kids.
Re-entry for the traveling parent is tough. You never know what you’re going to walk into. I came home to some moody children, a frazzled wife, a messy home, and no food. My Friday morning attempt to drop off the boys at their schools—in effort to act as though I hadn’t missed anything in the last three days—was a total flop. Kicking, crying, and screaming from all.
Alex reminded me of a few key principles to get myself back in the game quickly. They have to do with time—YOUR TIME—and I urge you to implement them A.S.A.P. into your life.
Call to Action:
- Make time for yourself EVERY SINGLE DAY. At least 30 minutes. Turn the phone off. Close the door. No outside disturbances from anyone.
- Summon a happy memory in the midst of “crisis.” Kids melting down around you? Can’t get a toddler to brush their teeth? Go back to a specific moment that glows in your memory. (hint: it can be about anything)
- Mark your time territory, or it will get all used up by someone or something else. If you don’t block it out on your calendar, ask your spouse for it, or shut work down, everything else will eat up your time.
- Be present in your moment. While I’m not wooed by the “being present” movement, I do believe it’s absolutely necessary for that sacred you time. Seriously be in that moment. If you don’t savor it, you sabotage it.
- Me time is relationship building time…for yourself. Alex reminded me the most important thing about carving out dedicated time for self: it allows one to strengthen the connection with the most important person of all.
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Photo by Marius Christensen on Unsplash