If you read my last blog post, you know my heart is set on intention for 2019. In fact, that is my word for the year - "Intention". If I could put a word to 2018, it would have been "Hectic" (I actually chose the word "Peace" in January of 2018, soooo... #irony)
My personal life was relatively peaceful, but my professional life was so hectic. It was FitStyle's first full-year in business and I was abundantly blessed with so many amazing new clients. My love of the client/trainer relationship and my love of fitness is the SOLE reason I started FitStyle in 2017. Each day when I get up, that is what drives me. I LOVE you guys so much. I want you to be happy and fulfilled and accomplish every one of your goals. But, running a business means a lot of other things you don't love - like paperwork and extra planning and, sometimes, comparing yourself to others. I took on a lot of extra projects and extra busy work that I should have said "No" to OR I shouldn't have put the pressure on myself to do. Can you relate?
I'm implanting a few things in 2019 to help me be more intentional with my time, my business, and my personal life. Keep reading for a couple of my top ways to help make 2019 not only more intentional, but, yes, more peaceful!
• A Social Media Blackout
Social media can be a blessing and a curse. I talk a lot about this on Instagram - comparison is the thief of joy and we can look at other people's lives, businesses, marriages, etc. and think they are perfect. They're not, I promise you. But, what we consume feeds our brain and our hearts. One of my favorite entrepreneurs, Julie Solomon, has a quote - "create before consuming." WHOA! When we consume, our own creativity is dimmed. We consume everything everyone else is doing and see our creativity through their lens instead of our own, unique voice.
For myself, I'm implementing a social media blackout every week. From Friday afternoon until Sunday evening, social media is logged off. I will respond to client texts and emails, but everything else is on the back burner.
Tip: Maybe for you you pick one day a week or a block of time each day. What can you do with this time instead? Read? Brainstorm? Spend time with your loved ones? Spend time in quiet. It will be difficult, but rewarding. I'd love to know if you're doing this, too, and we can hold each other accountable!
• Stick to the Plan
Are the choices you are making and the engagements you are saying yes to getting you closer to your goals? Or, are you saying yes to so many things you're taking your focus away from what really matters - family, career, etc. If you're a people pleaser, it can be hard to say "No", but to get to where you want to go you have to narrow your focus down to the things that really matter.
Tip: Make a list of your top 3 goals for the next 6 months. Every decision you make should get you closer to those goals. If it doesn't, say "No."
Both of these choices are about intention. Intention with time and intention with decisions. Where can you look at your life and make a couple changes to help your 2019 be fulfilling and less stressful? Where can you spend more time on what's important and feel okay about letting go? Your time is precious - value it.
We can do this!