It seems everyone I know is "super-busy" and so many people are stressed-out... the question is, how many of them are making time to RELAX.
“The best time to relax is when you don’t have the time.” Tweet This
The most productive people I know schedule spa days, massages and recreation in the midst of their hectic schedules. That's right, the SCHEDULE relaxation as though it were any other responsibility on their list—and it is. They don't wait for a time when things will slow down... they proactively make the time and slow things down.
In order to be the best you can be in your personal and professional life, you must make the time to RELAX.
“I have just five letters for you: R-E-L-A-X.” ~ Aaron Rodgers Tweet This
Uttered, Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers after the Packers started the 2014 season 1-2. Whether it was because of his statement, imploring PACKER nation to chill or not, the team turned things around and made a great run through the playoffs.
In this episode, Martin and I review the "B.R.A.D." acronym which can serve as reminder about how to minimize stress and return to a cool, calm, collected state (13:00):
Challenge yourself this week by scheduling recreation and performing your daily tasks differently (thinking of BRAD) and cultivate an appreciation for developing these habits of thought.
“The more relaxed you are, the better you are at everything!” ~Bill Murray Tweet This
“Every master was once a disaster.” T. Harv Eker Tweet This
Life is similar to sports. What's interesting is sometimes we choose intentionally to PLAY and other times, without knowing, we've allowed ourselves to fall into the shadows and become a spectator.
While it's good to have periods of reflection and rest, too much inactivity or indifference impedes our growth, progress, happiness and success.
You know you're PLAYING to WIN when you have a goal defined — you can describe what the end-zone and even first downs look like.
“Good things happen when planned out. Bad things happen on their own.” Tweet This
To stay motivated and keep your head in the game, be sure to track and keep score! Just try to imagine any professional sport without a target and/or score.
Athletes know how they are doing because there is a score and it's tracked! Are you tracking?
This simple concept alone accounts for much of popularity of The Habit Factor® app (iOS) (Android) and FREE tracking template (spreadsheet). Tracking creates momentum and provides invaluable feedback!
In order to meet the challenge of competition and play our best, Martin and I review the CRITICAL 3 P's. (17:22):
Then, we challenge the listener to identify something they are working on and intentionally practice and track it this week.
Finally, we touch on the big trap that seems to hit so many people after a BIG win.
With a nice, satisfying win behind them, (just like some athletes) they lose focus and attention in the present. They become tentative and perhaps even unsure how or if they might repeat their prior success.
Forgetting of course that, “Greatness is a process.” Tweet This
Are you tracking? Do you know what the short term first-downs are? What does the long-term end-zone looks like?
Let me know how you keep your head in the game?
Enjoy. Subscribe. Share. Thanks.
It's common to hear conflicting messages from personal achievement experts or “gurus”? (5:15).
One authority will insist that you don't have to work hard, you just have to work smart. Another insists that balance is bogus or, you just have to follow your bliss. Yet, another claims life is a marathon not a sprint... and on it goes.
“Take away paradox from the thinker and you have a professor.” ~Kierkegaard
Unfortunately, achieving your goals isn't so black and white. Often, the "real" answer is a mixture of conflicting advice. In a world of a thousand shades of grey, confusion and then paralysis can set in if we remain fixed.
In this episode, Nick and I review an essential "key" when it comes to navigating all of this conflicting information. (14:35).
"Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another." ~Juvenal
It turns out in your pursuit of personal growth and your goals its best to mirror the many visible traits in the natural world (dynamic, flexible, adaptive) for starters.
That mindset, combined with awareness, assures an effective and efficient path to personal growth and goal achievement.
“Good judgement comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgement.” Tweet This
Enjoy!
“What is man without energy? Nothing. Nothing at all.”
With all of the gimmicks and advertisements for ways to increase your energy, we are made to forget that both we and our goals are energy. Energy, as defined by the Latin root ergo, is the capacity for doing work. To make the most of your energy and to increase your capacity for doing work, Martin fuses Newton’s Laws of Physics with his strategies for increasing your productivity (5:45):
In the words of a Navy SEAL, “Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.” Friction causes tension, so challenge yourself to be more mindful of your responses to negativity and use your energy in a more productive manner. Martin reminds us that we have a limited amount of energy each day and that drama should be avoided at all times, if necessary.
“Always take hold of things by the smooth handle.”
A quick thank you! Our Habits 2 Goals podcast was featured once again by iTunes and has been in the top 10 (Self-Help category) for several weeks... a terrific start for this new show!
Now, on to the business at hand. It seems that everyone I know is "busy, busy, busy". In this show Martin and I cover some of the things you can do to make the most of your time and ensure that your results are meaningful too! No point climbing up the wrong ladder, right?
In this episode we walk through some key tips to help anyone be more productive:
While these ideas will greatly enhance your productivity, it's essential to know mental toughness and persistence remain paramount (see GRIT post). Remember too, these tips will only work when you’re kind, patient, and accepting of yourself!
If you have any questions about this week’s episode, or any prior shows, email them to Martin at mg ( AT ) thehabitfactor.com.