“If I am not for me, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And, if not now, when?” – Hillel The Elder
It’s a new year and a time for new beginnings. What are you planning on doing for yourself this year?
When you’re on an airplane they tell you that if the oxygen masks come down in an emergency to put it on yourself first, if you pass-out you can’t help anyone else. So, make this the year that you take care of yourself first and go after the life you want!
I know so many people, especially women, that put themselves on the bottom of the list. This year make a pledge to put yourself first. That doesn’t mean that you have to neglect your family and friends. It means that when you put your needs first, you’ll be in better shape to help them! Why? For starters, you’ll be happier and more energetic, and you may even have less stress and become more patient and tolerant.
I know it isn’t easy to find time for yourself, but think about how important it is. Are you happy? How’s your health? Are you stressed? Do you exercise? Do you eat right? Do you take time to meditate, read a book or take a bath? Schedule it! Put it on your calendar! You’re more likely to do something if you block out the time on your calendar.
Taking care of yourself isn’t just about exercising and eating right, it’s also living the life you want. Its working at the job or the career that fulfills you. Its pursuing your dream. Its having relationships with people that make you happy, not stress you out.
What are you waiting for? The years will pass anyway and then what? If you don’t do something about your life now, you’ll still be in the same place five, ten or fifteen years from now. Is that what you want?
In his book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hills said, “that the starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat. If you find yourself lacking in persistence, this weakness may be remedied by building a stronger fire under your desires.”
What is it that you desire? What do you want your life to look like? What improvements do you want to see this year? Whatever they are, you need to find a strong reason why you should do it. Is your reason strong enough to keep you motivated? If it isn’t, come up with a better reason!
For instance, you know that when you’re overweight it can affect your health. Maybe you’re not having any symptoms yet or maybe they’re minor so you’re not all that motivated. Why not tell yourself that if you don’t do something about your weight now, you’re going to have health problems down the road and maybe you’ll be a burden to your children or maybe you won’t be able to play with your grandchildren.
Make your motivation powerful and get an accountability partner. Studies have shown that even when you have a good reason it’s much easier to tough it out when the going gets hard, when you have someone to hold you accountable. Just make sure it’s someone who supports you and doesn’t have a hidden agenda.
If you think you already take care of yourself and your life is just the way you want it to be, that’s wonderful, but are you the best version of yourself that you can possibly be? I think that most of us are always looking for growth and improvement. So maybe consider taking a class, learn a new language and volunteer to help others. Helping others benefits both the giver and the receiver.
So, make 2017 your best year so far, you’re worth it! And remember, “If not now, when?”
It’s a new year and a time for new beginnings. What are you planning on doing for yourself this year?
When you’re on an airplane they tell you that if the oxygen masks come down in an emergency to put it on yourself first, if you pass-out you can’t help anyone else. So, make this the year that you take care of yourself first and go after the life you want!
I know so many people, especially women, that put themselves on the bottom of the list. This year make a pledge to put yourself first. That doesn’t mean that you have to neglect your family and friends. It means that when you put your needs first, you’ll be in better shape to help them! Why? For starters, you’ll be happier and more energetic, and you may even have less stress and become more patient and tolerant.
I know it isn’t easy to find time for yourself, but think about how important it is. Are you happy? How’s your health? Are you stressed? Do you exercise? Do you eat right? Do you take time to meditate, read a book or take a bath? Schedule it! Put it on your calendar! You’re more likely to do something if you block out the time on your calendar.
Taking care of yourself isn’t just about exercising and eating right, it’s also living the life you want. Its working at the job or the career that fulfills you. Its pursuing your dream. Its having relationships with people that make you happy, not stress you out.
What are you waiting for? The years will pass anyway and then what? If you don’t do something about your life now, you’ll still be in the same place five, ten or fifteen years from now. Is that what you want?
In his book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hills said, “that the starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat. If you find yourself lacking in persistence, this weakness may be remedied by building a stronger fire under your desires.”
What is it that you desire? What do you want your life to look like? What improvements do you want to see this year? Whatever they are, you need to find a strong reason why you should do it. Is your reason strong enough to keep you motivated? If it isn’t, come up with a better reason!
For instance, you know that when you’re overweight it can affect your health. Maybe you’re not having any symptoms yet or maybe they’re minor so you’re not all that motivated. Why not tell yourself that if you don’t do something about your weight now, you’re going to have health problems down the road and maybe you’ll be a burden to your children or maybe you won’t be able to play with your grandchildren.
Make your motivation powerful and get an accountability partner. Studies have shown that even when you have a good reason it’s much easier to tough it out when the going gets hard, when you have someone to hold you accountable. Just make sure it’s someone who supports you and doesn’t have a hidden agenda.
If you think you already take care of yourself and your life is just the way you want it to be, that’s wonderful, but are you the best version of yourself that you can possibly be? I think that most of us are always looking for growth and improvement. So maybe consider taking a class, learn a new language and volunteer to help others. Helping others benefits both the giver and the receiver.
So, make 2017 your best year so far, you’re worth it! And remember, “If not now, when?”
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