Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been discussing the challenges of staying focused on your purpose and vision, taking action on your priorities, and keeping what matters to you more central to your decisions. Two weeks ago we gave you tips for getting control over the demands that email makes on your time and energy, and last week we discussed how often people say “yes” to a commitment before thinking through the implications of that yes.
Both of the issues deal with self-management. Self-management is a vital part of successful living in 2013 and how you treat yourself moment-to-moment, day-to-day, is critical to your health, happiness and success. There are foundational self-management behaviors that you should consider utilizing so that you are less easily distracted in this highly distracting world:
1. Get 7 – 8 hours of sleep. Not kidding. The research on the costs of not getting good sleep is stunning. If you are not sleeping, despite doing all the right “sleep hygiene” things consider scheduling a sleep evaluation.
2. Move 30 minutes each day. We know there are a lot of studies on how you should move but really, start with any movement for 30 minutes a day. Walk around the outside of your office building, get an exercise bike and make a rule that you will ride it every time you watch your favorite show, join a club that is compelling to you. Move!
3. Spend quality time with people you enjoy each week. If you don’t have people you enjoy in your life (or if you are not managing your email and commitments well enough to find time to see them), make a concerted effort to bump into people who share your interests and passions. We know it’s not always easy to do this, but it will provide you with psychological and spiritual nourishment that are critical to success, health and healthy aging.
None of these things is easy and they certainly might not feel natural for quite some time but they are worth experimenting with. Let us know how it goes.