Personal Success: What's the Main Ingredient

We hear a whole lot about focus, prioritization, and smart planning -- and we should. It's not hard to see that the landscape of social media alone is one of clutter and distraction. Factor in the other areas of our lives and there is a huge need for focused attention on the vital few; the big rocks; the top three; etc. But what is the absolute most important priority of all? What is the one ingredient on which every other vital thought, task or action depends? It's YOU!

Now, this may seem very obvious and appear to be an oversimplification or maybe even total nonsense. Is it? Let me ask it this way: How many of the things on your "vital few list" would be completed without you? The answer is, none -- at least not by you. Are we then at some level taking for granted that somehow we will always be around to do the things we want and need to do -- for ourselves and most importantly for others?  

Are we neglecting the critical matter of our physical, mental, and spiritual health in favor of something far more "important"? Sounds silly doesn't it? Yet how many times have we heard people say they don't have time to plan meals, get regular exercise, read, play, and reflect?  How many times have we heard ourselves say it? Our intentions are good, but our well-being is not fueled and maintained by our good intentions. Sadly, time runs out on our someday resolutions and we are no longer able to make the change -- and least not in the manner we previously could. My own recent health issues have made this point very clear to me, and they are really the driving force behind this post.

Simply put, I've learned that we are our most important asset and we need to value and protect that asset to the absolute best of our own ability. So how do we get started? If you already have a to-do list or list of prioritized action items, this should be fairly easy. If you don't have such a list, it should be even easier. Just go to the top of the list and write down, or begin your new list with -- "ME". Under that make at least three bullet points: Physical, Mental, and Spiritual. Then write down some basic actions that you are willing to take to get started in each of these areas. It might look something like this:

• Physical: Start the day with a healthy breakfast and a 30 minute walk, run, or bike ride. (You can always add more as you get into the habit of regular exercise.) Plan your meals based on a healthy eating plan designed to fuel the body and help you reach and maintain a healthy weight.
• Mental: Set a specific time and place on your calendar for 15-20 minutes of reading, writing, or journaling. I believe daily reading is critical to the continuous improvement process, and can serve as a stimulus for blogging or journaling. I also use a STOP or Strategic Time Out Process in which I take 15 minutes each day, usually in the late afternoon, to think strategically about my business, my relationships, and my goals and objectives. It helps bring focus and renews my energy.
• Spiritual: Give yourself a daily time of deep reflection and meditation. For me, this is my specific prayer time and an opportunity to reflect and connect with God. This is also the place I seek strength for the physical and mental tasks of the day. 

All other priorities are then simply ranked behind this renewed commitment to yourself. However, don't be surprised if your new "me focused" activity changes much of what you previously regarded as "critically important" -- it certainly has for me. But then, that is really a subject for another day.

Let's make a commitment to take care of ourselves and to do it on a daily basis. Find at least one friend to share your commitments with, and then ask them to hold you accountable for the personal goals and results you've written down -- and by all means, do write them down. It gives tangibility and power to your commitment-- and that commitment is to yourself.

Originally posted on LinkedIn Pulse, July 19, 2016