Simple Steps to Create Time and Intention
We often have a goal in our minds, but after that, we struggle to follow through.
When it comes to creating healthy behaviors, the number one thing I hear is, “I don’t have time.”
This to me, is a sign of living an unexamined life. We get lost in an endless quest for things outside of us. We get lost in more money, more stuff, more approval, more consumption.
If you TRULY choose to care about something, change always happens. You find a way.
Louder, for those in the back?
If you examine your time, does it align with your values? Is it creating a life you love living? If not, it’s time to examine and make changes.
When you say, “I don’t have time.” you shut down the part of your brain that can answer, “How can I find time?”
Time is not outside of you. You don’t manage time, you manage yourself within time. This is one place where every human on earth is equal. We all have the same time but all make different choices about where we spend it.
Sometimes it takes an external event to prioritize health. A personal diagnosis, a health emergency, a diagnosis of a loved one, an upcoming event where we’ll see everyone we know. All of a sudden, we find time.
We often think that accountability and motivation are created from what happens. That the diagnosis, emergency, or event creates motivation. Here’s the catch – they create fear, and sometimes that fear is enough to create change. (Although, behavior change through negative emotion usually creates temporary change).
Emotion drives action to create change. Learning how to manage and process our emotions in a positive way is SO important.
Learning this skill will change your life in every way, including your health and the way you spend your time.
In the coming week, even with all the chaos, you have time to prioritize your physical and emotional health.
Here’s how:
1. Focus on being present. That means making the next right decision, not beating yourself up for what you did yesterday.
2. Let go of perfect. Do the best you can in the moment you’re in.
3. Go outside and move every day, no matter what.
4. Eat consciously. This is a three step process of planning what to eat, being present and enjoying it, then managing your emotions in a positive way without using food.
5. Watch negative thoughts pass. You can’t choose if they come (it’s part of being human), but you can choose to believe them and live into them.
Your health is important. You are worthy of everything you want in this life. You can create it for yourself.
Now go out and make so magic.