Feeling stuck or a little lost? Feeling chaotic and life is out of control? Feeling overwhelmed, uninspired, and burnt out? You are not alone. Now, more than ever, folks are feeling the pressures to get the kids in every activity, work a full-time job, add a side hustle, exercise for an hour, clean the house, cook the meals (make sure they’re organic too). And oh, make sure you take time for yourself because we all need self-care. Wait, what?!
How do we do it all? But more importantly, what superhuman decided that we should? Constant 24 hours news and social media have made this the societal norm, and the pressure is crushing. We’re now just over the hump of mid-year 2021. While the opening of the world is rushing to “get back to normal,” I want to challenge you with an option that, instead of rushing back to the peer pressures of adulting, let’s use this as an opportunity to get clear on these 3 items:
- Set a Goal.
- Build a Plan
- Execute your Strategy.
What’s your GPS?
Welcome to the GPS 37 Challenge. This was a home-grown, Paducah, KY, born and raised idea that spawned from being exhausted and unclear. We developed the top 5 items that have always made us feel more focused, clear, intentional, and inspired. The activities are important not just to me but have proven to be the gatekeeper to many others’ success as well.
My firm launched the first challenge group on March 1, 2021. Every 1st and 15th of the month, we host a challenge group who participates for 37 consecutive days in the 5 tasks I will outline below. You commit to yourself that you will complete each day. If you miss a day, you start over on the next opening date. Setbacks happen, timing is tough but is there no better day than TODAY to start getting your life together. Don’t wait. I hear you saying, “on Monday,” “after the holiday,” “when the kids go back to school,” “when the weekend is over,” “when the job slows down,” “when the activities are over….” That’s when I will focus on my goals. I call bull. And I can because I have used every single one of those excuses. The truth is, I didn’t want to put the work in. Until I did. Is it time for you?
Here are your 5 daily tasks:
- Move your body for 30 minutes – This can be any physical activity. Walk, jog, lift weights, yoga, stretch, or all of the above. Everyone is differently-abled, and there is something that you can do. There’s no shortcut. Moving and getting your heart rate up has little to do with how you look – it is all about how it makes you feel.
- Read 10 pages of non-fiction – I love to read, but between work and family, there is little to no time. But I can do 10 pages. This is paramount to your success. There are pockets of time throughout the day you can read 10 pages. Non-fiction is key, as in you can grow a skill set, read the Bible, you choose a topic that sparks you; sports, self-discovery, business, or health & wellness. If you need a recommendation – feel free to reach out via email. I have tons!
- Follow a nutrition plan – Again, no excuses. You know the junk food you are consuming is causing your energy to plummet and your lethargic days. Do I really have to convince you this is important?
- Journal – This one is the kicker that throws most people. I will admit, years ago, when I started, this felt the most foreign and takes practice. This is also the daily habit that I can point to that has the most dramatically changed my life for the better. Here are some examples: a to-do list of your priorities for the day, a workout, and meal plans for the day. Then, review how you did and what you could improve on, a summary of the day, how you felt, and what you are grateful for. Brain dump all of your goals and plans for life. There are a million sources of prompts and examples online. Be resourceful. Just find what works for you and do it.
- Open an email from the GPS Team every day – Learning new habits and skills takes practice, and we’re here as your support and encouragement. We will also provide tips and tactics on how to not only complete the tasks but how to push yourself forward to clearly define your goals and work towards them each day.
These 5 tasks are undoubtedly the most important in preparing the day for success and will not only bring pride and confidence to yourself but allow you to begin to be intentional with your time. Maybe you have to wake up a tad earlier (4 am anyone?!), or maybe you stay up a bit later to read. Regardless of when the point is, you complete something. You finish. You make a promise to yourself, and you keep it. That’s integrity. That’s confidence building. That’s discipline, and discipline equals freedom.
If you are ready to start taking control of your life, your time, and your goals, then let’s do this together. Rounds are open every 1st and the 15th of every month. Simply send an email to kristin.lynch@lpl.com saying, “I’m In!”.
