Business and Self-Care
A couple of years ago, I heard someone say that the qualities which are necessary to succeed in business were of one kind, while those which are important in the realm of relationships were of another. Considering that the most (and don’t forget, the longest) relationship we have is the one we have with ourselves, it may explain why business and professional people are often challenged when it comes to self-care.
Don’t mistake me. We (yes I find that I must really live consciously not to fall into the trap) groom, and we go the beauty salon, and the gym. And we dress in nice, often expensive clothes. And some of us drive late model cars. The kind of self-care I am talking about refers to emotional, spiritual and physical self-care: an internal make over. All my business and professional clients, including corporate employees, show signs of being out of breath. Their life are and have been for a while, a race. On the outside, they look like peaceful ducks gently floating on the river. Underneath it all, they paddle like crazy and are getting very tired. Yet, they are afraid to let anyone see their struggle to fight the current. The consequences of this frenzy show up in the headaches, heartburns, insomnia, heart attacks ,burnouts and other medical casualties we all are familiar with. They also show up in strained relationships, both at work and at home, as well as in the inappropriate use or abuse of either alcohol or other drugs, including sleeping and nerve pills. All this has a negative impact on the business or the career.
There is a better way, a way that will stay with you for the long-term:strengthening your Personal Foundation is what I am talking about. Strengthening your Personal Foundation involves making a commitment to yourself to do what it takes to become so emotionally centered and grounded that your life will become effortless. As you know, the tallest buildings require the deepest footings. Same for people. The strongest your foundation, the higher you will be able to soar. Having a strong Personal Foundation involves working on a number of areas of your life. The first one I ask my clients to start on is the Clean Sweep. The Clean Sweep covers your physical environment, your emotional life and your health, your financial health and your relationships. Do you tolerate messiness, half-working tools, annoyances that keep you frustrated? Then what about your health and emotional balance. Are you a TV junkie, do you rely on caffeine or sugar to keep going? Drink alcohol to relax? You get the gist? Then what about money? How responsible are you with money? Do you have a Reserve? Are you on track to achieve financial independence? And your relationships? Do they nourish you or do you endure them just not to be alone?
A strong Personal Foundation is a solid, bright place. It’s a space where you can experience total peace. A problem-free zone. To get there you may need to first clean the clutter; then raise your standards; establish stronger, much stronger boundaries; re-orient your life around your values, instead of the "shoulds"...
Although working to strengthen your Personal Foundation is easier done with a coach, you can start on it by yourself, right now. First, you will need to make a firm commitment to take the time to do it. And keep that commitment as sacred. Then, pick one area that needs cleaning: your closet, your car, your hallway table. Resolve to get rid of anything you don’t need or use. File those papers. Get one area totally perfect: the way you want it. This will give you a Reserve of space. Repair or replace one "thing" which does not work properly. Get rid of it and try to live without. This will add to your reserve of money. If your place and office and car are already spotless, try this: Drop one project from your commitments: a volunteer position, a get together you no longer enjoy, one evening in front of the TV. Try canceling one meeting this week. Those actions will create a Reserve of Time.
I am sure you can already imagine how your life would be different once you have more room to breathe and more time to do it. The rewards will overflow in your business life. I promise you that if you decide to do this work, your life will change. You will be happier and it will last. You will stop running on toxic energy. You will sleep better. You will start making different choices As a result, you will make better decisions and this will affect your bottom line.
