One of my clients this week said that that is far from the truth. While it’s fun to be going to the neighbor’s cookout or spending after work hours in the backyard or by the pool, it creates major blips in the weekly routine of life. She was so busy that while she sat at the beach the other afternoon she was making her marketing list and running through her head the chores that needed to be done when she got home that she forgot to enjoy herself! She said ‘it’s [her schedule]out of control.” And I’m hearing this from many people.
So, let’s stop and b r e a t h e a minute……There that’s good!
The first step to creating an easy Summer Living routine is the realization that you are in control of your day. You can create the best days~~~ if you’re willing to start from scratch.
Here are a few things you must do:
Do less. Or if you can’t possibly accomplish this, put off projects until a more manageable time. Who says the living room needs to be painted today?
Create a Sunday Success System. Take some time on Sunday to map out the week. Put the priorities where they need to be in your calendar and commit to them. If you make an appointment with yourself to go for a walk ~ honor it like an appointment to go to the dentist ~ after all which one is more fun?
Create a morning routine. And make it a relaxing one. For me, I get up earlier so I’m not rushed, and have a ritual that is all mine with no interruptions (cup of coffee, journal, breathe & stretch and walk the dogs) It starts the day on the BEST FOOT possible.
Create an evening routine. An evening routine is also essential to starting your day right. Mine only takes a few minutes. I choose my three Most Important Tasks for the next day, so you know what you’re going to do when you wake up. Planning my meals and my clothes and most importantly, writing in my Success & Gratitude Book ~ the things that I did well today and the things I am most grateful for. I do this right before putting my head on the pillow ~ to set the right tone for a good night’s sleep and more powerful dreams!
Create a clutter-free environment. This is key for me, as you might also know by now. I like my desk clear of any clutter. Clutter-free surroundings create a peaceful, efficient and effective working environment. It also extends to other areas of your life ~ your house, your car etc.
Turn off the distractions & Single task. That means phones, email notification, instant messaging, anything that will break into your focus and make you jump from one thing to another. And, no more multi-tasking. I like to focus on one task at a time, if possible, and really be present in it. Take my client, imagine her time at the beach if it was focused just on that: time at the beach!
Do mini-meditations, breathwork and stretching. This requires only 60 seconds or so between tasks! You’ll be amazed how your focus and attention improves!
And as Steve Winwood says: “Roll with it baby.’ There will always be exciting things that come up and too, things that just don’t seem to go right. Focus on your goals, your core values and make the important decisions about them based on those. Take a step back to gain some perspective, and then make your choices. Then, Let go of the outcome and be present in the process for that outcome is always in your best interest.
By dong these you will feel more in control, do more of what is important to you and indeed, you will Feel like you it is “summer and the living is easy” all the time. Which step resonates with you that you think you can implement RIGHT NOW?
