It’s all about me. Whether we’re a teenager or a father, a baby or a mother, whether we want to admit it or not, life really is all about me.
There is a simple (not easy, but simple) formula for self-management. What ever undertaking we pursue we must put ourselves first. When we put into practice these actions our foundation for success will be laid.
Remember the flight attendant on the airplane instructs us if the oxygen mask is dropped down, to put it on our mask first, before assisting the person next to us, even if it’s our own child.
The fact is, if we don’t get the air we need, we won’t be around to help the one next to us.
So it is in life. Even though we have a natural desire to help those around us, we must spend the time and energy to lay the foundation in our lives.
In order to be successful in all our undertakings, whether they be business, family, or fun, we must take care of ourselves first.
As we learn to master the basics, we’ll be more equipped to create the life we dream of and help others along the way!
4 areas of necessity:
1. Food
2. Sleep
3. Exercise
4. Water Consumption .
Millionaires are hiring personal coaches to help them stay on-track with the basic four.
Following a proper diet contributes to a healthy body and opens the way to the life we desire. There are many food issues that block successful dietary self-management. We sometimes perceive we are fatter than we are. Sometimes we are actually over-weight and trying to loose the weight. Other times we might be the right weight but are ignorant to what nutritional value is in the foods that we eat. . No matter what is blocking us from having control, we must put diet on the top of our priority list and get control of our eating.
Sleep is necessary. Generally we don’t understand the importance of sleep. All we know is that we won’t be able to work or to think as well as we will when we are fully rested. Sleep deprivation is rampant. A large proportion of the problem is due to a high paced lifestyle causing the lack of time to get the sleep we need. Sleep deprivation can have serious effects on your health in the form of physical and mental impairments. Inadequate rest impairs our ability to think, handle stress, maintain a healthy immune system and moderate our emotions.
Proper exercise has many benefits. Gaining control of your body size and weight through fitness is an amazing way to increase self-esteem. You look better and are more confident which empowers you in everything you do. You will find that the self-discipline required and learned through regular exercise spills over into other areas of your life and you will be better able to make other necessary and desirable changes. For the greatest overall health benefits, experts recommend that we do 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic activity three or more times a week and some type of muscle strengthening activity and stretching at least twice a week.
Drinking regular amounts of water is essential. A good estimate is to take your body weight in pounds and divide that number in half. That gives you the number of ounces of water per day that you need to drink. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, you should drink at least 80 ounces of water per day (10 cups). If you exercise you should drink another eight ounce glass of water for every 20 minutes you are active. If you drink alcohol, you should drink at least an equal amount of water. When you are traveling on an airplane, it is good to drink eight ounces of water for every hour you are on board the plane. If you live in an arid climate, you should add another two servings per day.
When we lay this foundation every day, choosing primarily fresh fruits and vegetables, lay off the processed and unhealthy foods, sleep enough, exercise regularly, and drink enough water, the results are staggering.
If we want to create some real results in our lives, we must learn to master the basics.
When we do, we’ll be more equipped to create the life we dream of and help others along the way!
Leave comments below and tell me how you’re mastering these basic four.
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June 28th, 2010 at 4:36 am
Hi Linda
This is an excellent article!
I didn’t know that we should drink more water if flying – I’ve learned something new for the day.
Since becoming a mother, I’ve found it quite difficult to put myself first (although I wasn’t particularly good at doing that anyway!).
Many people have told me throughout my years of motherhood to date, that if I don’t look after myself, then I can’t look after anyone else properly … and they were right! (only it took me until having my third baby, who is now 5 years old, to really “get it” and put into practice).
As my kids have become older and more independent, I’ve been able to establish better boundaries as far as looking after myself goes.
Of course, there are always those times that I find myself falling back into old patterns and neglecting myself a tad, but then my body (and mind!) will soon remind me to get back on track … and more often than not, it’s when I notice that I’m becoming overwhelmed with things that usually wouldn’t bother me, that I stop myself and take some “time out”, have a rest and do something to recharge my batteries!
I drink lots of water every day even though when I was a child I hated it! It also did help that when I was little, Dad told me, “If you drink too much water, you’ll go rusty!” I wasn’t sure whether to believe him or not, but then he said, “You know how some people have got red hair? Well, they drank too much water and now they’ve gone rusty!” … and I believed him! LOL
I won’t tell you how many years I believed that! … yes, for real!.
(Dad was only joking of course. He’s told me many hilarious things over the years!).
Speaking of sleep, it’s getting late here and I really should get to bed.
I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve got to share with us next!
~ Kylie ~
June 28th, 2010 at 7:19 am
Kylie~
What a crack up! What a funny man, your dad! I always wished I had red hair~ I wondered what I’d have done with ‘gone rusty’ as a child!!
I know I should help you to set limits for yourself, I just hope you’ll set other limits, and continue to write so I can read
!
June 28th, 2010 at 7:24 am
Hey Linda,
Such timely advice. I have been guilty of ALL of the above for so long in my life that it finally caught up with me… I believe in the “dis-ease” that I’m experiencing.
I subscribe to every one of your recommendations… most of which I knew to be true, but disregarded. How dumb! I thought I was invincible!
So now, I have to endure the long road back to health and vitality. It does take a great deal of commitment, but when you look at the alternative… uuuuugh… don’t want to go there!
Thanks for sharing this wisdom. It serves as a great reminder.
June 28th, 2010 at 7:45 am
You and me both, Chris! I always said I appreciated my health, now I see I was just giving it lip service! And like you, now I am putting myself first
June 28th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Linda,
There is an old saying that if you don’t put yourself first in the equation no one else will either. It is all a question of being accountable to yourself before you can help anyone else.
Great reminder to start the week off with a bang. Since I have trouble drinking enough water, I’ll hit that from the get-go today!
Darlene Davis recently posted..Green Dumbbells -amp A Major Commitment
June 29th, 2010 at 1:26 am
All right Darlene! Let’s get it done!
January 20th, 2012 at 2:30 am
I’m with you Linda and Chris! Let’s put this thing into work! Thanks for this wonderful post.
Candice Michelle recently posted..ניוזלטר
July 1st, 2010 at 12:53 am
Reminds me very much of a quote I once read…don’t remember where or when or in what context…
“Everybody is “I”!”
Everyone is the center of his or her own universe, with other people floating closer or less close to that center…thanks for reminding me of that! Helps me understand people better.
July 1st, 2010 at 10:48 am
Hey Ben~
I love the illistration you use, everyone floats closer and less close around us! I can visualize it, I see how it is in my life. Thank you for explaining it that way!
I look forward to reading your last blog!
~Linda