A few months ago, life dealt me a blow and it not only disrupted my mojo, but it took me completely off my game.
Life often deals us unexpected setbacks. Momentum, happiness and a positive spirit can be derailed by bad news, disappointment or unplanned events.
If you’re at all like me – human – you’ve likely had similar experiences. You know the experience – it is characterized by going into stress mode. Psychologically you know you’re better. You want like nothing else to overcome the disruption and show the world what you are made of. You tackle the setback by forgoing your routine and tripling-down on what you feel you must to get (force) things back on track.
In my most recent example, it was work. The unexpected had happened and to make the situation even better, the expected did not. So I tripled-down. I stayed up later, worked longer, got up earlier and pushed those around me harder. If this is familiar, you probably know that what happens isn’t what you need, want or expect. While you may get a few things done and a couple of colleagues may join you in the triple-down, in actuality, you begin to feel worse not better.
What’s up? Why not? Well in my case (and maybe yours), not only was my family and personal life getting negatively affected because I changed my schedule, broke my regular rituals and good habits, but my physical, emotional and spiritual state additionally fell into disrepair. Those close to me at home and work wanted to deal with me less. Even the dog found me intolerable. I became insensitive and to many more than just the dog, intolerable.
Just what in the heck was up? I can’t speak to your personal and professional situations, but I figured out my situation was a result of having driven myself out of whack. Yep – I was completely out of balance!
Instead of looking objectively at the sources that contributed to taking me off my game in the first place, I simply poured on more of the wrong stuff, became frustrated and unhappy with most everyone and everything while forcing myself completely out of balance. Brilliant!!
HOW STELLA GOT MY MOJO BACK
Yes, I was so out of whack that even my dog Stella had begun to look at me like I was nuts. As I looked at her, I realized that she had also slowed down. She too had responded to my changed behavior and surely wasn’t her self either. Now sure, she was getting old, but she wasn’t so old that she should be exhibiting the lack of energy she was. She usually had a springy step and that “dog smile” was always all over her face when she was engaged, happy and fulfilled. I realized Stella, the dog, was out of balance too! Whoa!!
It was what happened next with Stella that changed my perspective, inspired this blog and ultimately restored my mojo.
As I sat there thinking about the dissatisfaction and discontent in my life, I jumped up and said, “let’s go Stella!” Stella got up hesitantly, but got up all the same and loyally followed me outside. In the front yard with no leash, I did something I haven’t done with Stella in years. I again said “let’s go Stella!” and I raced her the 1/4 mile to the neighborhood park. Stella galloped like she was a greyhound chasing a hare. Once in the park, she darted north-south and east-west. She chased squirrels. She chased one squirrel with such vigor that she slid directly into a tree like a baseball player sliding into home plate as the squirrel escaped up the tree. Energy and excitement so high, she bounced up and chased the next squirrel. Luckily she was fine, but what I realized was that the exercise had motivated her and she wasn’t old at all. Rather she was full of life. The exercise had restored her energy.
We got back to the house and she darted in like she hadn’t in weeks and ran all through the house as if to say “I’m back!” When she came back to find me, there she was with that spring in her step and happy “dog smile.”
I kept this routine up with Stella whenever I could. Surprisingly, what I realized was that she was more alert, ultra responsive, joyful to those around her and even seemed to eat and sleep better. And, when I awoke in the morning, so did she — ready to go and full of energy.
I applied what I was witnessing with Stella to myself. I got moving again. I restored my schedule of regular workouts. I got my diet back under control and made sure that I wasn’t too busy to eat right. Instead of staying up late, I went to bed early and got up early. When I went to bed, I listened to a few verses of my Bible, that thanks to the digital age is now on my iPhone and narrated.
My mojo was back and those around me now find the balanced me far more tolerable. And yes, the unexpected setback at work was offset by good news and forward progress. In fact, the whole experience has increased my confidence and happiness. I felt more in control and fulfilled.
It’s crazy to think about what a dog can teach us, but I feel blessed that Stella reminded me of what is important to be high energy, confident and in control so that I can positively impact my physical, mental and spiritual well being.
Stella’s lessons are below for anyone wanting to restore high levels of energy, balance and fulfillment in their life:
1. Exercise – exercise is the source of physical and mental energy. Get on a regular exercise routine as it not only drives our energy level, but also helps us recharge and gain clarity.
2. Sleep – get 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night. Keep a regular sleep schedule. Ideally go to bed early and wake up early. The best at any craft often site subscribing to the adage early to bed, early to rise…
3. Eat – breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eat 4-5 small meals a day. Don’t overeat late dinners. Eat foods low to medium on a glycemic index – avoid sodas, white breads and junk food. What you put in your body, contributes considerably to your energy throughout the day.
4. Meditate – give your mind an opportunity to recharge. Take a few minutes each day to focus on your breathing and disengage from the rigors of life. (For those that are spiritual, reading the bible, saying prayers or reflecting on your blessings are great ways to recharge and feed yourself spiritually).
5. Breaks – the human body can only remain focused and energized for 60-90 minutes at a time. Be sure to take a break at least every 90 minutes. Get up walk around. Close your door and your eyes for 10 minutes. Talk to colleagues about anything but work topics. Take breaks to recharge, restore focus and be high energy.
6. Calendar management – no one is going to worry about your balance but you. Schedule your exercise. Schedule your family time. Schedule your personal time. Schedule your breaks. Recharge for high energy and high levels of mojo.
Do you have other rituals or habits that get you back on track when you get out of balance?