Week #2: Are you following the 10 Commandments of Self-Care?
January 7, 2008
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HOW DID I GET SO BUSY?
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This Week's Topic: Are you following the 10 Commandments of Self-Care?
Dear Friend, Sometimes we simply need to
be reminded of things we know to do, but haven’t done. Perhaps our
paths are crossing this week because you need a reminder of how
important it is to take good care of yourself. When you do so, taking
care of everything and everyone else becomes a less stressful endeavor.
So this week, I would like to share what I call the “10 Commandments of
Self-Care” from my new book, How Did I Get So Busy? Make them your
personal habits, and you’ll create a self-care lifestyle that nourishes
your mind, body and spirit: The 10 Commandments of Self-Care 1. Use all of your vacation time every year.
Be
intentional about taking time off. Take out your calendar this week and
schedule your vacation time for the next 12 months. 2. Commit your time off solely to non-work related activities.
Keep
your time with family and friends sacred by setting boundaries around
your personal time so that work does not interfere. You need time to
recuperate from work so that you’ll be more professionally productive.
If you work from home, set work hours and close the office door during
your off hours. 3. Take your rest seriously.
We’ve
all heard it, but too few practice it: Get eight hours of sleep. Being
well-rested builds immunity, keeps you from being irritable, and simply
gives your body what it needs. Be a good steward over the body you’ve
been blessed with. It may take some extra discipline to do it
consistently, but you can do it. How about starting tonight?
4. Have fun at least once a week.
What
do you like to do for fun? Having fun every day would be the ideal, but
try to at least do something simply for the fun of it on a weekly
basis. Scientific studies have shown that positive emotion builds your
emotional capacity to handle adversity and stress, and be more open and
creative. If life’s gotten so hectic that you don’t even know what to
do for fun, make a game out of trying new things until you find what’s
fun for you. 5. Eat regularly, preferably sitting down.
Do
you eat on the go? Skip meals? Dine in front of the television? Eating
offers an opportunity not only to refuel your body, but to reconnect
with yourself and others. If you don’t have time to eat three meals a
day sitting down, it’s a sign that it’s time to reclaim your schedule. 6. Exercise regularly, preferably standing up.
It
is essential to stand up and get moving! Whether it’s walking, fitness
class or a favorite sport, get your heart rate up at least three to
four times per week for 30 – 45 minutes. Exercise should be a part of
your life just like brushing your teeth or eating dinner. Rather than
considering it “optional,” find a way to make it a part of your
lifestyle. 7. Be fruitful and productive, not busy.
Do
you have a habit of getting distracted easily? You start the day with a
great to-do list and by 5 o’clock you’ve barely crossed anything off
the list? We are meant to be fruitful – to produce the fruit of the
Spirit and make meaningful progress in life. Being busy is about having
a lot of activity without much to show for it. Aim to be productive. 8. Use technology to gain time, not consume it.
If
you are like many people in today’s culture, you manage multiple email
accounts, home, work and cell phones along with accompanying voice mail
for each, text messages and perhaps a Blackberry, too. Plus, you’ve got
more choices than ever with cable and satellite television, TiVo,
satellite radio, and mp3 players. All of these things are supposed to
give you better choices, save time and make your life better. But only
if you learn to use them to gain time and not consume it. Establish
personal rules with the technology you use – respond to email at
specific times rather than reacting to it as soon as it arrives, turn
off the cell phone at dinner and be vigilant about clearing the clutter
of old messages. 9. Connect heart-to-heart with the people who matter.
One
of the worst consequences of busyness is that you become disconnected
from the people who matter. When having a conversation, stop
multi-tasking and look the person in the eye. It says, “What you say is
important.” Connect intentionally and your relationships will be better
for it. 10. Be led by the Spirit.
In a busy world
where everyone voices their opinion about what you should be doing, it
can be tempting not to trust the voice of the Holy Spirit that speaks
directly to you. The answers you need lie within you. But you have to
quiet down and slow down long enough to hear that still, small voice.
Have the courage to follow it. It won’t lead you astray. My challenge to you this week:
Take care of yourself! Commit to one thing you’ll do this week from the 10 commandments of self-care, then do it. Journaling assignment:
In
what way(s) do you want to practice better self-care? What would you
have to do differently in order to incorporate these practices into
your lifestyle?
Until next time ... Be Intentional,
 P.S. Encourage your friends and family by sharing this newsletter and invite others to subscribe! Just send them to
www.valorieburton.com, where they can enter their email address on the home page. Valorie
Burton, a life coach and speaker, is the author of Listen to Your Life,
Rich Minds, Rich Rewards, What's Really Holding You Back?, and her
latest, Why Not You?. Subscribe to her FREE, inspirational e-newsletter
at www.valorieburton.com.
Buy the book before this Thursday, January 10th!
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A Broadway Trade Paperback Original
In Stores December 26, 2007
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Are you caught in the race to get it all done—with little time to enjoy the rewards life has to offer?
Valorie Burton's new book, How Did I Get So Busy?,
is a simple, effective, 28-day program to help you discover your true
priorities, shift out of overdrive, and reclaim your life and your
schedule.
Order the book by January 10, 2008
to claim these great rewards:
- A FREE two-week memebership to Curves
- A FREE 45-minute audio download of "Intentional Living," from Valorie Burton's Thrive! Today personal coaching series
- A $5 coupon good towards any purchase on ValorieBurton.com
To take advantage of these great offers, please visit valorieburton.com/specialoffers.
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Please feel free to forward the Rich Minds, Rich Rewards E-Newsletter
to friends and colleagues, but please forward in its entirety. The Rich
Minds, Rich Rewards E-Newsletter is written and distributed by Inspire,
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