A few weeks back, like any good American, every evening I
was home with my eyes glued to the TV. The Olympics were on, and I simply had
to see the games. They were thrilling, challenging, and unifying for our
country.
One game that didn’t particularly thrill me was swimming,
but doing my duty as a true fan, I faithfully watched it. I cheered for the
women’s relay team and respectfully nodded as Phelps won his 18th
gold metal.
One thing that impressed me about swimming was how the
athletes approached the pool. One swimmer leaned far over the edge of the pool and
sunk her long, loopy arms in the water, scooping the cold water right in her
face. Another jumped straight into the pool, no warning or prep splash. Just
straight in.
They continued these preparations, and sooner or later they
were all completely submerged in water, ready to swim. They showed up for their
race.
It started me thinking about what I do in the day-to-day to
‘show up’ for my life. These swimmers are Olympians. They don’t go to the pool
when they feel like it, or eat sugary cereal for breakfast because it’s quicker
than making eggs. They prepare, they’re intentional about their days, and they
start every day as if each day has a reason. Do I do that?
Over the past few months, I’ve been reading several blogs
about time management, learning how to become a morning person, and what it
means to take each day seriously. From reading, watching the Olympics, and
deciding what’s best for my schedule, I’ve come across a few things that help
me ‘show up’ for each day. Here’s what I’ve learned:
1.
Set a
morning routine that works for you. Jeff Goins just wrote a great post about this that really
helps. Going off of what he suggests, what works for me is to wake up at the
same time every day (during the week). I also shoot to actually get up when my alarm goes off, and spend
time eating a leisurely and healthy breakfast. I’m a foodie and it helps jump
start my day to have a good meal.
2.
Come in
to work as if that’s what you meant to do. Don’t treat work like an
obligation. Work throughout day diligently and with purpose. It’s a privilege
to work every day, especially if it’s something you love.
3.
When go
to the gym, work out like you mean it! I love to take aerobics classes. One
night after kickboxing during our post workout stretch, the instructor said,
“It’s a great day when you’re healthy enough to work out.” I had never thought
of it that way. It’s changes the way I look at my workouts.
4.
Be
intentional about setting your weekly schedule, and stick to it. Your
schedule is just that, your schedule.
It’s not your spouses’, or friends’, or co-workers’, it’s your’s. Don’t
purposely schedule things that you dread (if possible), don’t hang out with
people who bring you down, and try your best not to veer off course. (Excluding
the occasional capers and spontaneous adventures J)
You’re not being selfish with your time, you’re being wise and exercising
discipline.
This is just a short list, so add to it! What do you do in
the day-to-day schedule that helps you ‘show up’ for your life? I’d love to
know in the comments section below.
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