No matter how challenging your job may be, it is surely dwarfed by the
pressures of the U.S. presidency.
Last week a video of Barack Obama went viral; in it we caught
an intimate glimpse of the President working out early in the morning fighting
back sleep and trying to keep his yawns at bay. The President was traveling
abroad (jet lag anyone?!) and yet he awoke that morning determined to start his
day with some “me-time”. Surely if the President of the United States has time
for wellness so do you!
Facinating, Isn't it...
Read the Full Article Below by Leixa T.
Molina
Last week a video of Barack Obama went viral; in it we caught
an intimate glimpse of the President working out early in the morning fighting
back sleep and trying to keep his yawns at bay. The President was traveling
abroad (jet lag anyone?!) and yet he awoke that morning determined to start his
day with some “me-time”. Surely if the President of the United States has time
for wellness so do you!
What holds us back from investing in our health and making “me-time” a priority? We live in a technology-connected fast-paced world, trying to crunch-in our million to-do lists in a 24 hour period. We wake up tired and on auto-pilot ready to tackle the day ahead: Emails to answer, bills to pay, projects to complete, home responsibilities such as child or elder care…no wonder we feel overwhelmed. Yet we can not accomplish any of this without our health and well being, but more often than not, they take a back-seat.
So how then can we go from “want” to “do”?:
What holds us back from investing in our health and making “me-time” a priority? We live in a technology-connected fast-paced world, trying to crunch-in our million to-do lists in a 24 hour period. We wake up tired and on auto-pilot ready to tackle the day ahead: Emails to answer, bills to pay, projects to complete, home responsibilities such as child or elder care…no wonder we feel overwhelmed. Yet we can not accomplish any of this without our health and well being, but more often than not, they take a back-seat.
So how then can we go from “want” to “do”?:
1. Map out your journey
What brings you joy? What inspires you, moves you or makes you smile? Be it
spending more time with your kids, eating healthier or reading a book, think
about what you would like to do and where you would like to be. Write it all
down, clip pictures that motivate you, and map out your journey. Keep this “map”
as your constant reminder and inspiration.
2. Chart the course
Yes I would like to run a marathon, sail around the world and grow my own
garden, but not all are likely to happen; at least not all at once. Be realistic
about your well-being and start with the basics: Scheduling that dental
appointment you’ve been meaning to go to, calling your old roommate from college
you just found on Facebook or checking a book out from the library. You don’t
need to climb Mt. Everest, especially if you barely take the stairs at work.
Start small but don’t lose sight of your long-term goals; you have a lifetime to
accomplish them.
3. Embark on your well-being
Keep your map and charted course handy and make a “me-time” commitment AND
a priority. Yes, you still have 500+ emails to read, errands to run and projects
to complete, but actually having lunch away from
your desk and turning off your smartphone for some
technology-free time will make you even more
productive! Your well-being is as important as any other item on your to-do
list. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but you must
carve out that time, big or small. Cut yourself some slack, enjoy and celebrate
your accomplishments, however minute they may be. These little things can bring
you joy and help you continue down your Journey. Tweak your map as needed and
enjoy the ride!
