How Do I Push Past My Past?
This week we are talking about “pushing past our past.” What does that mean? To me, it means looking at my day and finding the habits that are not working for me. Finding the people in my life who do not require positive self improvement or make me feel bad when I’m around them. Looking at my to do list and realizing what needs to be done, and what can wait. Filtering out the non-meaningful fluff that lives in all of our days and deciding what our core values are. Deciding what these things are can be tough. Remember that it doesn’t have to happen all at once. Change happens gradually, and it helps to focus on one goal at a time. Here are three ways in which I set myself up for success while working on, “pushing past my past.”
1. Planning the night before.
Every night before bed, I sit down and take a look at the day ahead. I keep all obligations and appointments in a Google Calendar and check that first. Many times I have written something in this calendar weeks before, and I need reminding of what the day will bring. I keep a journal for just about everything: thoughts, to do list, grocery lists, even books and quotes I don’t want to forget. I will compose a list of a reasonable amount of things I would like to accomplish the next day. Keep this list to about 4-5 things, any more and you will not get to everything and FEEL like you are failing. I also think/meditate/contemplate about the day ahead and when I will work, eat, workout, and rest.
2. Who helps motivate me?
“You are the sum of the 5 people you hang around most.” Who helps motivate you and who breaks you down? There is no room for people or things who do not serve you mentally and physically in a positive way. Find these people who mean something to you and hold on to them tight. Be the friend, significant other, daughter/son, that YOU would like to have. If you do not see these people on the daily, seek them out and call them weekly. This one takes a little more work, but I promise you it’s worth it.
3. What are your core values?
What do you stand for? What is the “big why” for getting out of bed every morning? When things are going well, it’s easy to click into auto-pilot and do all the things you are “supposed” to do without question. When things get hard, daily obligations start to fall apart because we question why are we doing them. Having your personal core vales in place replaces these looming questions. Even in times of confusion, I remember the big picture and what I stand for. Brene Brown’s book, “Dare To Lead” is excellent if you are looking for core values. She helps filter out the nonsense and lean into what is important to you.
Have a wonderful day!
Coach Emily