I had a fireworks moment this morning, in respect for our Independence Celebration last week! An article I read recently made a whimsical statement to “declare independence from eating food you don’t like”, like the usual cook-out food, for the 4th of July. I happen to like traditional 4th of July food, so we trotted out all the favorites: BBQ pulled pork, coleslaw, corn on the cob, and ice cream at a local ice cream place for dessert. But the article made me smile, and it makes me re-think other things, like what I would declare independence from if given the opportunity.
Then I read a LinkedIn post about a mid-year goal / New Year Resolution check-in. I really liked that idea, so I ruminated on that for a while. Then the two ideas collided in my head! Pow, fireworks, etc! (ok, not really, but you get the picture…) So, Time Management ideas for this week…
Back in January, I decided to ask “Why Not?” instead of “Why?” for 2013. I resolved to Say Yes! to things and people and ideas, in my personal and professional life. And so far, I have achieved or am making progress on a number of goals for 2013. So what else do I need to declare independence from? And how will that allow me to say Yes! to?
Independence from being sedentary.
Few people who know me would consider me sedentary, but when it comes to formal exercise, I am. At least I am more sedentary than I would like, or than what is good for me.
How much time and mental energy could I free up if I just went out and exercised like I know I am supposed to? I would also be declaring independence from pain, tight fitting clothes, sense of failure, cholesterol and cholesterol medicine in the long term, evil prostaglandins, and a host of other things.
And I say Yes to living a healthier, better life.
Independence from our hectic schedule.
This started out as “independence from busy weekends”, but truly, I would like to work on the whole schedule. I have spent some time this past weekend with wonderful life-long friends. And the recurring theme of many conversations is how busy and burned out we have become. My family and I deserve better, as do my friends and their families.
So I will say yes to time for my family and myself with more intentional scheduling. Now, bear with me, this is the declaration of independence from our hectic schedules, but I still have to work out the implementation plan! Did our founding fathers outline and strategize such things? I wonder!
Independence from Judgment, of others and of myself.
My internal soundtrack (my own voice inside my head) is often very judgmental. I make snap judgments of others based on appearances, perceptions, my own state of mind, etc. And I quickly and harshly judge myself for any slight failing or slip-up. I usually catch myself, and then try to turn things around, but the negativity exists. I don’t share or act on the judgments, but they are still there, and they taint my thoughts and my happiness. So, I will work on being open to others without judging, and also accepting others and myself more readily.
So, now I have shared my Time Management suggestions for this week. My question to you is “For the second half of 2013, what will you declare your independence from?” Let me know!