The word is ENOUGH
Definition: Merriam-Webster Dictionary: in or to a degree or quantity that satisfies or is sufficient or necessary for satisfaction.
Posted 9/26/23
My story on ENOUGH
Every day seems to come with more challenges and less time to take them on. With so many tasks swirling around in our heads, words like stressed, anxious, and worried take over even before we get out of bed. Throwing the covers over our heads seems like a great idea, although not an option.
However, setting realistic goals is. So the question comes down to how do you determine what's realistic. What will be enough?
As a Life Coach, I help my clients uncover the answers. I start by advocating actions like making lists, taking small steps, and brain dumping because what you have to accomplish on any given day may impact your mood, your mental and physical health, and your ability to adapt to your surroundings.
Let’s focus on THE LIST first:
The list has three categories: Urgent/Important/Flexible
URGENT - Must be completed today.
IMPORTANT - It would be good to complete these today.
FLEXIBLE - When I run out of time, I know these can wait.
Under the category of “Urgent”, taking care of oneself (self-care) should be at the top of your list. Simply stated, we are at our best when well-rested, well-nourished, and clear-headed.
Next, we’ll focus on SMALL STEPS:
I advocate committing to a healthy morning boost for yourself. This answers the call for self-care. If you can, wake up 20 minutes earlier to get in a relaxing (rather than a rushed) shower, a quiet meditation, or a short walk. This healthy boost of energy, first thing in the morning, allows for a positive start to your day.
Another example of a small step is to ask for help. Although this comes with resistance, give it a try. The results may pleasantly surprise you. Consider making a small change to your daily routine. It could be something as simple as sharing breakfast responsibilities. Maybe let someone else do it three times a week.
And lastly, and this is my favorite, the BRAIN DUMP:
Remember all those thoughts swirling around in your mind first thing in the morning, stressing you out, increasing your anxiety, and making you worry? Unload them. Truly, write them down. Get them out of your head. Add them to your "to-do" list on your cell phone or on a piece of paper. For example:
I’m worried about - being late for an appointment.
I'm anxious about making a mistake at work or home.
I'm worried about more of the same chaos today.
Here's an interesting statistic to contemplate. A study conducted by Psychology Today revealed that 80% of what we spend our time worrying about never happens. That bears repeating. 80% of what we spend our time worrying about NEVER HAPPENS. So I encourage you to brain dump and focus on the 20% of the things you can change, accomplish, and control. It will free your mind of the anxiety your lack of control robs you of.
Most importantly, even if you can’t accomplish all the things on your list, on any given day, celebrate the ones you did. Allow yourself to know you did the best you could and that was okay, in fact, that was enough!
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If you’re having trouble managing your day or your life, it might be time to talk to a Life Coach. I encourage you to reach out to me. I am currently scheduling appointments for October and November. Email me at innervoicelifecoach08@gmail.com. I also invite you to visit my website to learn more about my practice bit.ly/3srFKL8