From Amanda's very early writing (1990s to early 2000s), shared as it was originally written.
wellness - week one
You'll never believe what I did this morning! And I was not hung over!! I spent 20 minutes looking for my watch. Guess where I found it? On my left wrist. Two years ago, I decided to wear a new watch I was given on my right wrist because it suited the ring on that finger. For 2 years I have worn my watch on my right wrist. This morning I even checked my right wrist. The old habit of wearing a watch on my left wrist was so ingrained that not only did I not realize I had done it but I didn't even feel it on my wrist!
The reason I tell you this is not to help you understand how stupid I am but to reinforce the concept of habits and how strong an unconscious grip they have on us. Especially in relation to our lifestyle. This is the first in an eight week series moving you towards what I call 'holistic fitness' - mental, physical, spiritual and emotional fitness.
Michael Gerber wrote a book called "The E Myth' in which he says most entrepreneurs fail because they are so busy working in their businesses they stop to take time out to work ON their businesses - they fail to plan and prepare. I believe the same principle applies to life - so many of us are so caught up running around in our lives we forget to stop and work ON our lives.
That's what this first article is about - the concept of working on your life; reviewing it so far; are you happy, fulfilled, content, challenged, enthused, excited, positive, satisfied, mediocre, just making it, miserable, unhappy, depressed , angry, frustrated or just neutral?
Rarely do we take time out to take stock of ourselves and how we live, let alone how we feel. So each week I want to work through a 'chunk of life assessment'! And offer some strategies that may help those who want to move in the direction of holistic fitness. It's also important to remember that life is about the journey and what we learn along the way - it's not just about the destination.
Many of us have become such goal/ outcome orientated , driven people that we forget about enjoying ourselves en route to the final destination.
Step one this week is to either as an individual or a couple or family, take some time (at least a couple of hours) sit down and objectively assess where you 'are ' in life.
Are you where you thought you would be or wanted to be? Where would you like to be?
How do you feel? And how would you like to feel ?
How much fun do you have? How much do you laugh?
If you work, do you like it? If not, what would you like to do and what do you need to do to be able to make the move?
Are your relationships all you would like them to be? With your parents, siblings , partner, children and friends?
Do you have plenty of social support?
How are your levels of exercise? And your physical state generally? Do you need to make changes and if so what sort? Do you feed yourself great quality fuel (food)?
Do you have lifestyle habits that really put you in danger? Like smoking, or excessive drinking. And eating rubbish.
What is your attitude to life? Optimistic? Pessimistic? Cynical? Bored? Does the world owe you? Are you into helping others? Do you feel part of a larger community? And responsible for your environment or world? Or don't you care? Do you take responsibility for yourself and your actions or are you into blame? (Yuck!)
What other aspects of your life need to be reviewed?
Having examined your life and considered areas where you may like to make changes, now it's time to set some targets. Remember that it's more sensible to make small consistent changes. The Japanese have a philosophy called 'kaisen' which is commonly mentioned in business. It refers to taking small, consistent steps towards continuous improvement. And it's much more effective long term than the sudden leaps that work short term, but are so disruptive that it's like taking two steps forwards and one step back.
Of course there are zillions of readers out there who are delirious with joy and love their lives. If you are one of these people, you can use this opportunity to celebrate your skill / luck or planning! Offer to mentor someone else who may not be as happy as you. I'm serious! We don't have enough conscious mentoring in our society. People to whom we can look up and admire who help guide our thinking and can teach us life skills we may not have.
If you are not one of these balanced types, find one who will mentor you! And make a list of the areas and the specific changes you want to make. Then list the small steps that would move you in the direction of your targets. Decide on time frames that are realistic. Include 'markers' along the way - steps that indicate you have reached the next level on your path. And then work out ways to celebrate your mini success. Remember to plan a mega celebration for the time you finally reach the summit!
Remember that there may be small lapses in your progress - it's really important to recognize these as part of the learning rather than failure. And be gentle on yourself - change is not often easy - it may take several attempts before you can progress to the next level of life. Because that's what you are doing when you decide to make positive changes in your life. you are moving to a new life level - which is usually more rewarding.
For many of us living in today's super sonic speed world , when we stop and take time to feel and question our priorities, we find we lack balance. Maybe over the next 8 weeks, we can make a start on the kaisen journey towards a healthy balance - towards holistic fitness and fun.
Bernie Seigal, a wonderful author, sums up a balanced approach to improving our lives and embracing wellness in his book "Peace, Love and Happiness" -
"I have done the research and I hate to tell you this - but everybody dies! Lovers, joggers, vegetarians, and non smokers. I'm telling you this so that some of you who jog at 5 am and eat all your vegetables will occasionally sleep late and have an ice cream cone." In other words, have fun on the way! Amen!
PS you don't have to make all the changes in 8 weeks! Break old habits....This is just the start of your new life.
