Create Your Own Definition of Success With These Tips
Here are some simple yet strategic tips on how you can create your own version of success.
Tip #3 – You’ve Been Neglecting Your Sweet Spot
Not THAT sweet spot, at least I hope not!! I’m referring to your true centre; that energetic space that guides you through life.
Traditional thinking has taught us to measure productivity by results and that results are produced through hard work and dedication. With the incredible innovations in the fields of technology and communication, productivity should be through the roof, but it isn’t. Why?
Think back to the last time you had a really great idea, what were you doing? Where were you? Who were you with? Inspiration strikes when you are feeling juicy, inspired and connected to the core of who you are. This is your sweet spot!
People do not feel inspired when they are being pulled in a million directions while being crushed by the weight of a bulging never-ending to-do list. In fact, exhaustion and burnout is costing the economy billions of dollars each year in lost productivity.
To build anything with strength and integrity, you need a solid foundation. If you want to stop the cycle of being overworked, underpaid and headed for burnout, create windows of time to hang out in your sweet spot.
Studies in neuroscience show that individuals most commonly report inspiration striking during meditation, periods of relaxation, in peaceful environments, while falling asleep or in savasana (referred to in yoga as corpse pose).
It feels counter-intuitive in this fast paced corporate culture, but taking short pauses in your day to get centred will actually increase your productivity and have you rocking your sweet spot, all day long. Have you tried the Pomodoro technique? Here is the link to the free app so you can set yourself up for success. Read more about the benefits of using it here.
Bonus: Here is your hot tip for connecting with your sweet spot at work: Select focused high level work you want to accomplish and remove all distractions. Set 25 minutes on a timer or download a Focus Keeper app (see Pomodoro link above). Take a short 5 minute break to re- charge with a few yoga poses, go to the bathroom, check your email or Instagram (or mine @BloomLisa) or whatever it is that gives you a re-set. Press repeat. You will not only be connecting to your sweet spot but you will be completing projects and coming up with inspired new ideas that free up hours of time on your schedule.
Tip #2 – Stop Taking It All Too
Seriously
Money, work, non-stop notifications, mortgages and family responsibilities can leave you feeling like a hamster in a wheel, running around in circles day after day with little or no real joy or progress. Nothing in nature is designed to sustain long term stress. Burnout is becoming more and more common as people work, work and work 24/7 with little or no vacation time. Have you ever embraced the no pain, no gain work ethic? When professionals are asked why they work so hard, answers carry a common theme:
People believe their sacrifice will result in a really great life.
Yet there is no correlation supporting the formula of suffering + hard work = success. How can you make a shift from believing that suffering leads to success?
A warm and sudsy shower washes away yesterday’s dirt, but what about yesterday’s stress?
Buddhist monks are among the happiest people in the world and now scientists have the data to tell us why; they are rockin’ all of the right brainwaves through their meditation practice! Practicing mindfulness is the key to releasing stress. No-one can dispute that regular meditation decreases anxiety and depression while improving mood, memory and self awareness.
Did you know that 15 minutes of hearty laughter equals the benefit of two hours of sleep? How awesome is that!!! Embrace your inner child, be silly, tell jokes, share embarrassing stories with your besties, watch funny YouTube videos; just do what makes you laugh. Laughter produces endorphins, heck a smile produces endorphins, which will improve your mood, increase your tolerance to pain and have you forgetting what your were so stressed and overwhelmed about!
If laughing creates the benefit of sleep, then you have no excuse not to set your alarm 15 minutes earlier and meditate each morning.
Hot Tip: Make it a priority to have more fun and more stillness each and every day.
And this leads us to the next secret to success….
Tip #1 – Learn How to Say No with a Smile,
Not an Explanation
Saying no feels almost luxurious these days, even like an act of rebellion. Why is mastering the art of saying no so important for your life? All too often, the demands from work, family, friends, volunteering and social commitments have you answering yes when you want to scream no. This habit leaves you overworked, underpaid and headed for burnout. The time has come to stop saying yes to unpaid overtime, to that new title with extra responsibility but no pay increase and to group holidays with your drama queen “cousin” who makes you forget you are actually a really nice and reasonable person.
The time has come for some strategic no’s that open space in your life for some heart-based yes’.
Women place a high value on being liked; I invite you to value being respected instead. This is definitely a top secret to sustainable success + joy.
We have all heard of the fight or flight response that keeps us safe in dangerous situations. Once the stressful situation ends, your body chemistry returns to normal. However, if your system is under continual long-term stress, it has major implications on your health. The common signs such as fatigue, irritability and lack of focus…where was I…oh yes, they have become the standard and too often, worn as a badge of honour. Yet they are whispers of the tsunami forming deep within your personal ocean. The road to poor health is paved with the best of intentions.
Your body heals and regenerates when you sleep; your metabolism runs 10 times faster, wounds are healed, fatigued muscles strengthen and grow and your immune system is boosted. Decide right now what you can say NO to that allows you to get to sleep earlier.
Hot tip: Use the word NO as a complete sentence adding only a smile. Fill the silence with a question and move on. No is authentic, it is honest and frankly, it tastes like victory, happiness, good health and the best darn ice cream cone you have ever had.
More Tips to Create Success in Your Life
If you enjoyed the tips above then make sure to check back as we will be sharing more important tips & strategies. Remember, anchor change to an existing habit or routine and keep the changes small.
Keep going, keep growing. NOW is your time.
your Coach, Lisa
