What Is Not Working?
By Michele Batz
Okay, this week we are going to discuss What
Is Not Working? Stop and
think about that question. Are you holding yourself back? Are you
afraid of
changing your life a little? Are you happy with your life?
You have the power to start changing today.
A small change that will
enhance your overall health and lifestyle is always a good change.
People are
afraid of change. We all get comfortable in our daily routine.
We are
familiar with what is coming up next or so we think. So, with that
said, here is
what you need to consider: What Is Not Working? Are you stuck in
a place
that you want to leave? For example: Is your current job not challenging
you
enough? Is your workout routine stuck in the same rut? Is your
weight
staying the same, despite your efforts? Think about what you would
like to change
in your life, and let's pinpoint that area and focus on it for
one month.
Start today with writing down what you want
to accomplish and it doesn't
necessary have to be health/fitness related. Why, you say? Because
sometimes what is holding us back in that area of our life is a
factor that is
restraining us from moving forward. It could be a job that is so
physically or
mentally draining, that when you return home to your family or
friends, your
energy level is very low. This is due to the stress at work and
that stress
takes away your energy. In turn, you have very little to give back
to your family
or friends during the work week. Now, here is a little thought
to consider:
Are you a weekend warrior? Do you try to get all the yard work
done, meet
with family and friends for a gathering, then stay up late and
exist on very
little sleep? This results in returning to work on Monday morning,
tired, crabby
and with a poor attitude. No wonder you are unhappy at work. You
have
been setting yourself up for this whole scenario. It is time for
a change and
here is what you do.
Write down your
priorities. What is it that will make "you" happy?
Then set out a small time table to see where it fits in the day.
Time is
always a factor and do you want to fill up all the hours in the
day with work
related items? Of course, the answer is no but quite a few us "need" to
get this
or that done in the course of the weekend. And before you know
the weekend
is over and you spent a total of 60 minutes with your family. What
are you
going to remember in your lifetime? Is it going to be how much
money you
made? Or is it going to be the memories created with your loved
ones? Which is
a priority with you? You decide!
A great book to read that will help you out
with these life decisions is
Julie Morgenstern's Time Management from the Inside Out. She
gives you
anecdotes to help improve your time management and find the joy
in life again.
I am not saying quit working, what I am saying
is find a balance. Are
you crabby? Are you anxious about things ALL THE TIME? Are you
criticizing
and picking at your loved ones? This is a sure sign to stop and
slow
down...list your priorities. Make a small change for one entire
month and focus on
that one thing that you have chosen. Make a positive change and
once this
is in place, your life will become more open for new adventures,
a new way of
looking at things and a whole new attitude.
Take the time now
to jot down just three items that you would like to
change in your life, then focus on just one for the next 30 days.
What can
you do to make that change? Take a risk, have fun and e-mail me
your
progress. •
© 2004 Michele Batz
 About the Author
Michele Batz has an extensive 25 year career in sports education. She writes her own column for a Chicagoland newspaper and for eFitness.com and eDiets.com. Her book — What's Holding You Back? A Woman's Beginning Guide to Fitness is available through Amazon.com.
09/14/04
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