PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Even though we don’t use the term rituals often, everyone has them. They are simply tasks we perform every day. They are so integrated into our daily lives that they become automatic. It could be things like getting ready for bed and showering, setting up the coffeemaker for the morning, running, or relaxing. To help us manage our time better or become a better person, we may add new rituals to our day.

It is when rituals feel more painful than they are enjoyable that it becomes a problem. This can cause frustration and make it more difficult to move forward. It doesn’t need to be this way. It doesn’t have to be that way.

We have the power to choose how we want our days to be structured. We can decide what we need to be focused, productive, and relaxed. Rituals are a way to get there. They can be adjusted as needed. But where do we start?

You can make sure your rituals are effective by asking these questions:

1. How would I like to feel? Your ritual can help you decide what kind of feeling you want. Do you desire to feel relaxed? Are you ready to feel peaceful? Do you desire to feel empowered and inspired? It’s easy to admire the rituals of others, and then decide that you want them. However, what works for someone else might not work for you. You might not feel the same way. It is perfectly acceptable to look at others for inspiration. However, you must design rituals that are best for you . They should also meet the goal of how you want your body to feel when you get out of them.
2. Does my current ritual contribute to the feeling you want? Start by writing down all the things you do. You can then reevaluate every part of your rituals. Does it give you the feeling that you desire? If they do not, you can get rid of them. To get the desired effect, you can either remove them or add a new one. A ritual might produce the feeling you want, but it may not be at the right time. Do not be afraid to switch parts of your rituals. A morning workout can help you get your day started if you’re too tired to exercise at night. You have the freedom to do whatever you like when it suits you best.

This will force you to slow down and assess your emotions. It may not seem obvious, but our emotions can play a significant role in our ability be productive and focused. It’s more than what’s outside of us. It’s also what’s within us. It can be scary, but be honest with your self.

What do you feel right now? Or how would you like to feel in the future? Do rituals currently directing you to that feeling? Or are they hindering your progress? If you answer these questions honestly, you will feel more in control and the cascading effect all through your day.

It is impossible to achieve big goals without big dreams. You can only achieve big goals if you are tolerant of the discomfort. But this isn’t our natural tendency. We want to be safe and avoid failing. That’s completely understandable. It’s what’s comfortable.

But we all start to wonder about what else might be out there beyond what our experiences or knowledge have taught us. Why? Because each one of us was meant to be more. It is our nature to seek out, to innovate and to feel pulled to uncharted territories in our lives. All we have to do is take the first step. It’s not easy.

These three truths are applicable no matter where your goal-setting journey is at.

1. Feeling uncomfortable is normal. Fears and doubts, as well as hating your goals, are all perfectly normal. Our brains are wired towards safety, stability, and predictability. It is normal to want to quit when you go beyond your comfort zone and set yourself a goal. These feelings may not go away but they don’t have to rule you.
2. Feeling uncomfortable is normal. Setting goals can help you feel more confident. When you first begin exercising, it can feel really difficult. Sometimes it can be even painful. The more you do this, the stronger you will be and the happier you will feel. The journey changes who you are. If we want to grow, then we need to set big goals that can catalyze the process. There is no substitute for discomfort.
3. The best thing about discomfort is that it can lead to breakthroughs. Everyone is different when it comes to discomfort. Perhaps you’re trying to do something new, or you’re afraid that you won’t succeed. You might feel inadequate or doubtful. No matter how uncomfortable it is, you should embrace it. Because it will set the stage for the breakthroughs that you desire. The weight of discomfort will force you to stick your nose into the grindstone and continue to work until it gives up–which it always does.

If you want your full potential to realize, you will have to go through discomfort. It is the foundation for your breakthroughs. There are no shortcuts. The more you do it the easier it will be to surrender to the tension. You can find encouragement in this. It’s encouraging to know that you can accomplish big goals, be a better person, and have the best year of your life.

Our lives are more important than our work. They encompass more than just our work-related social lives. It’s actually helpful to think of our lives as 10 interrelated domains. These include spiritual, intellectual and emotional, relationshipal, parental, financial, vocational, avocational, social, and parental.

These domains all have a common goal. Each affects the other. Your physical health can have an impact on your work performance, while your financial situation will have an impact on your social life. You must be able to touch all domains in order to live the life you desire. Only then can you achieve the balance that you desire. Knowing your performance in each of the 10 areas of your life is key to finding that balance. This is the only way to progress. It can be difficult to see the areas that are in pain. When it comes to our lives, our perspectives can be limited. What can you do to get clear about where you are at the moment? You can take the LifeScore Assessment online quick quiz.

Do not be intimidated by the word “quiz” and “assessment”. This tool gives you the visibility and allows you to rate yourself in each of the life domains. The tool then assigns a numerical value to your answers, and calculates your LifeScore. You will then receive a score-specific report that includes tips and strategies to help you improve your score over the next year.

You might be in the best of health, but your career is not moving forward. You might be passionate about new hobbies, and love every moment of it. But you are not connected to your spouse. This assessment will reveal these things and help determine which domains require the most attention so that you can grow and set goals.

The present is the foundation of the future. Tomorrow’s outcomes are determined by the decisions made today. If we don’t have a clear understanding of the current situation, our decisions and actions will be ill-informed. The LifeScore Assessment gives us the information we need to make important and balanced personal growth decisions. It takes only 10 minutes to complete the assessment. It’s simple and free. It’ll also give you the visibility that you need to make your year unforgettable.

A perfect example of a goal to become a habit is this daily joke routine. Habit goals will help you focus on small tasks that you can complete each day. Consistent wins keep the momentum going. In order to achieve success, you must be consistent and not lose your intensity. Follow these steps to start achieving your goals today.

1. GET CLEAR ON YOUR GOAL

If you don’t define your goal first, you won’t be able to accomplish it. Vision always comes first. You must be clear about what you want. Specificize your goals. Note it down. As they move across the lips and through pencil tip tips, thoughts become disorganized. If you don’t have a clear goal to work towards, you won’t be able to achieve your goals. A team member is more likely to need to know the goal. Even though you feel the goal is clear in your brain, you cannot create alignment until it’s written down. This is the most important step towards success.

2. IDENTIFY THE RIGHT BEHAVIOR

You must determine what behavior is necessary to reach your goal. Don’t make it difficult. This will help you get incrementally closer towards major change if it is done over and over. I used to have 25 stubborn pounds years ago that would not go away. Instead of trying hard to shed the excess weight, or signing up for an intimidating Ironman Triathlon, I stopped eating sugary and processed carbs. That’s it. Each day, I concentrated on one step. It was simple. It didn’t seem impossible. It was an easy behavioral change. I remained consistent. These pesky extra pounds went away in just three months. Just like a fad diet, intense goal setting doesn’t work. Lifestyle change is key. You must be consistent with the right behavior.

3. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS

It serves two purposes: it strengthens the habit through self-accountability and it boosts motivation by showing visual progress. Your progress can be recorded, much like Jerry Seinfeld’s desire to keep the chains going. A string of successes will help you build momentum for the days ahead.

4. ENLIST AN ACCOUNTABILITY Partner

It might be the most beneficial step you make. It is vital to choose the right person. In order to concentrate on my golf game, many years ago, I chose a partner that would laugh at my mistakes. You probably know what happened. I felt worse the more he ridiculed my character. Your accountability partner should be encouraging. It could be a close friend or coworker. It could also be a professional counsellor, coach, trainer, or other qualified person.

1. Your focus time can be scheduled

It doesn’t matter what gets put on the calendar, it just gets done. Block your calendar at peak performance hours. To illustrate, I work my best early in the day, so I block out time for me alone and schedule it to my most important projects. If you are unfamiliar with chronotypes and Daniel Pink , it is worth reading When . You will be able to determine when you are most productive, and schedule challenging tasks during your most productive periods.

2. Get offline

Disable notifications and use tools that block content. Pop-ups will not go away on their own. I use freedom to manage my desktop. I remove unnecessary apps from my phone and adjust the screen-time controls to allow me to use social media apps necessary for work. I don’t even have the code to bypass the limitations. My wife keeps the code to make sure I don’t breach my digital distraction firewall. To win the battle for focus, you have to take down tech giants.

3. Reduce the room temperature

In a study published in Scientific American participants were required to proofread an essay. Some were asked to proofread articles in a room temperature of 77°F and others in a room temperature of 67°F. The cool room produced twice as many errors in comparison to their counterparts. Science has proven that cooling rooms can improve concentration. People’s ideal temperature is different so try out different settings to discover your personal thermostat.

4. Play music that assists concentration

Stanford University researchers looked at the effects music has on the brain. The results showed that music engages areas of the brain that are involved in making predictions, paying attention, and updating memory. When I write, I listen a mix of epic and instrumental songs. It gives you a sense that there is a purpose. It is intended to influence emotion. I am now more aware of the larger purpose of my life. To find this kind of music, search the Focus section on Spotify. Or use apps like Focus@Will.

5. Be aware of the impact of food upon your ability to focus

Three cups of espresso can be helpful for some people. Others feel jittery even with the least amount of caffeine. Don’t skip meals and pay attention to how your body reacts. Keep snacks handy in your desk drawer, and hydrate with a water bottle marked with markers. Your regular diet should include foods that increase brain function.

6. Take frequent breaks

If you push through a project too much, your battery will eventually run out. Take a stroll, meditate, take a nap, or make a cup coffee. Do something that clears your mind, no matter how small or large, to reap the benefits almost immediately. I typically take a half-hour break during the day. I also take breaks for lunch and an afternoon nap later in the day. Breaks renew my energy. I come back to work each day with fresh eyes and renewed motivation.