What are the habits, practices and behaviours that set you up for success?

Each Sunday evening, I begin to prepare myself for the week ahead. What meetings need to be prepared for? What are the practical and logistical things I need to do to ensure a successful launch to the week?

I am a very blessed and happy person, I have created a life for myself that is both rewarding and challenging, yet, I understand the work is never done!

Each week I have stretch goals and do things that make me uncomfortable. I make sure that there is time in the week for the practices that keep me grounded and moving forward.

What habits and practices have you created for yourself that keep your momentum going?

Here are a few of mine:

• Positive Intelligence/Mental Fitness

  • This is a non-negotiable, I practice daily working on my mental fitness through a guided

  • program that I also teach to others. A Positive Intelligence Practice will move you

  • forward exponentially and prepare you to be mentally fit when the proverbial ….hits the

  • fan. 15 minutes a day and it will change your life.

• Meditation

  • A meditation practice is a non negotiable for me. 15 minutes per day minimum but

  • could be 30 minutes or up to an hour depending upon the day. Getting out of your head

  • and into your meditative practice will absolutely change your life. Even if you start with

  • two minutes a day just focusing on regulating your breathing with your eyes closed, you

  • will start to regulate your immune system, calm your nerves, create space and energy

  • for ideation and creation and build a more creative mindset.

• Sleep and Rest

  • I have not always been a great sleeper; however, I have learned that good rest can be

  • quite amazing even if you are not in a deep sleep. Going to bed at a decent time and

  • getting up at a decent time, regularly and daily will promote good sleep hygiene. Turn

  • off your tv, your phone and your devices to allow yourself to unwind. Watching

  • something that is triggering or violent and then trying to sleep just does not work!

• Nutrition

  • I am not the best meal planner; however, I am aware of the necessity to feed my body

  • healthy food. You are what you eat is truth. Do not feed your body junk all day and

  • expect to operate at prime capacity. I learned at a young age from my mom, before all

  • the fast-food restaurants and delivery systems were in place. Fast food was having an

  • apple and some carrot sticks, and maybe a piece of cheese at the ready.

• Relationships

  • Over the years, I have eliminated several toxic relationships from my life. I have learned

  • that keeping toxicity in your life is extremely damaging. I am not afraid to put up

  • boundaries, take a step back or to recognize someone who you thought was a friend or

  • trustworthy colleague may not be. That old saying – you are the sum total of the 5

  • people you spend the most time with holds some weight. What relationships do you

  • need to re-examine?

• Work

  • I have always held that productivity and work are one of the most important parts of

  • anyone’s mental well being. Finding work you love and then going about the business of

  • becoming great at that work, will be one of the most fulfilling things you do in your

  • lifetime. Not to mention that your livelihood will flourish!

• Exercise

  • Walking and moving my body are also non-negotiables, daily. I set a target annually for

  • the number of kilometres I will walk and I make sure I get to strength training a couple

  • of times a week. As we age, this becomes even more important for health, balance, and

  • healthy living.

• Leisure

  • What are the things that bring you joy? My leisure will always include time with friends

  • and family, enjoying the outdoors, being on the water as much as possible and spending

  • time in nature. Throw in some live theatre and travel and I am a happy camper (ok, not

  • really a camper lol) What do you do in your off time to build your joie de vivre?

• Reading & Education

  • Never stop learning, it is important to stay active in mind and body, one of the ways I

  • stay current is reading and I am always taking a course. There are a pile of great books

  • waiting for me in several rooms of the house. When you read, you will never be bored

  • or run out of great ideas to learn and grow. Reach for a book instead of the remote!

• Service & giving back

  • As a coach, I have learned that my life is a life of service and this brings me great joy.

  • Giving back and making the world a better place is the responsibility of all. People who

  • serve are happier, healthier, and more productive. You will always and without a doubt,

  • have a bigger return on your investment than you give.

• Financial fitness

  • This has not always been my strong suit, admittedly. Over the years I have learned that

  • managing your money is going to bring you great peace in the long run. You can find

  • ways to spend less and earn more and be happier. Everyone can. No one is left out. It is

  • never too late to start. Get yourself a good financial advisor and you will never regret it.

• Coaching and Therapy

  • I hold firmly to the belief that coaching and therapy exist for all. Everyone should have a

  • coach, and a therapist when you need one. There are local resources you can access as

  • well. Some people have been in therapy their wholes lives and good on them. To get to

  • where you want to go, you need a team, no person is an island. Investment in yourself

  • in this area will also bring high returns.

If you read all the way through, congratulations! You are well on your way to a happier and healthier life. If you have more tips, please share. I would love to hear from you! Reach out to me if you want to learn more about any of these practices.

Have a beautiful day and a gorgeous week!! Stay Well!