Who Do You Put First?
I have had all sorts of Internet connectivity issues this last week with many trips back and forth to Best Buy to try different routers and extenders.
After spending hours trying to rectify things I finally realized it was costing me way too much in time and it was false economy for me me not to pay somebody to come out and fix it, so I did.
Thankfully that was all sorted this morning and now I can get back into the groove and not be sweating on whether Skype or Vonage will crap out on my half way through a coaching call.
The whole thing brought an element of stress to me, not least of which was this morning when the guy was here and I found myself muttering internally “I really need to be writing a blog post now”
On what must have been the 30th loop round my head I managed to pick up on it and allow my conscious mind, that had up until then obviously been having a nap, to intervene.
“No I don’t need to write a blog post at all. I’d quite like to, but nobody will die if I don’t, nobody will be pissed at me and the majority of people who subscribe to my blog won’t even notice.”
I talk a lot about the importance of you putting your own needs first. Not in a selfish uncaring way with a disregard for others, but in a “If I’m going to be the best person I can be I need to look after myself first and foremost” kind of way.
I say this because to begin with I decided I was going to skip my daily meditation to get a blog post written. That would have been an easy choice, but it would also have been the wrong choice.
If I want to be credible as a Life Coach (and hopefully I am), I have to do what I coach others to do. It’s no good me explaining the importance of self care if I then neglect myself.
So yes I have obviously written a post, but it’s a one-take 20 minute post (rather than my average of around 2 hours) and a good proportion of the time I saved I spent meditating, which is something I feel I do need to do.
What are you not doing for yourself that you know would make you a better, happier, or just more productive person. Feel free to tell me in the comments and I can kick your ass…..gently of course ;-)
If you’re interested in knowing more about why I (and pretty much the entire scientific community) think meditation is so important and everybody can benefit from it, you can download my free ebook or audiobook on the subject by clicking here. No e-mails details needed.
Great reminder Tim! I have been missing taking care of my self for weeks now as it seems there is always something else that needs to be done! Your post came just in time to remind me that I need time for myself so I can be better for others. Thank you!
You’re welcome, now go do it!
i continue to be impressed by how steadfast and dedicated you are to the blog, Tim. it’s like a garden that only a handful of people manage so well while the rest of us are getting pricked by roses, snowed by bad fertilizer or dried out because of the dry season. have no idea if this anology makes sense whatsoever.
I was getting nervous when I didn’t see your post here and was about to call but doing ok now :)
That looks like a metaphor wrapped up in a simile inside an analogy if you ask me.
Thanks for your post! I agree, sometimes we get so caught up in what we think everyone else needs instead of our own actual needs. It takes the fun out of everything we enjoy and work hard for.. so taking time to put yourself first is the best way to be there for others sincerely.
Precisely!
Tim,
I so needed to hear those words today. I am in the middle of moving house, caring for a deliquent puppy,(who is like a kangeroo on speed)and in the middle of a life coaching course and expecting a hord of visitors over for Christmas in a new house with no utilities connected. My husband is away five days of the week on a mine site. Today I was offered a job in the local caravan park 7 days a week 8 to 8 and I nearly took it………what madness is this? You have my full permission to kick me clear out of Oz! There are definately a few roos loose in the top paddock. Thanks mate.
LMAO – it’s been a while since I heard the Kangaroos loose in the upper paddock line, thanks!
Now breathe ;-)
I’m really glad you pointed out the fact that putting your own needs first doesn’t mean being selfish and not caring about others. A good amount of the people I’ve been coaching had this issue, so I guess this post will help a lot :)
I’d say most clients I work with have this belief to a greater or lesser extent.
That was quite a nice post for a mere 20 minutes. You may kick on general terms. I am a stop and start type of worker. I spend a lot of time doing absolutely nothing of importance while cogitating. I could use the a-little-less-talk-and-a-lot-more-action kick in the pants.
Well cogitating can be tremendously important Julie and maybe you operate better in the long run by working that way?
Either way I’m happy to apply a cyber ass-kicking so prepare yourself!
I can certainly relate! Seems to take me forever to realize I might not want to do it myself, lol.
To be honest most jobs I immediately outsource, but this was something I have done plenty of times before with no problem. It even stumped the techie guy to begin with, which made me feel a lot better ;-)
Hello mate! Well done for catching yourself in unhelpful thinking. I’m glad your Internet’s sorted. Next time you need any computer-related advice, feel free to ask.
What am I not doing for myself… well… I’m not exercising, meditating or visualising a better future for myself. I need to do these things or my life seems to deflate like a badly cooked souffle! And yet, I still find myself making excuses not to do them. Argh!
Please kick my ass. Go ahead! I’ll even out a little target on it for you.
Well thanks for that visual you just planted in my head….not!
Maybe you should start committing to that lovely wife of yours rather than just yourself?