One day this past November, I woke up, and began crying like nobody’s business.
I mean…Down. Right. Sobbing.
In that moment that I awoke, I realized that I would have been competing on stage in the Rockford Bikini Competition that month; only I didn’t follow through like a champion. Nope, I quit. After a bout of bronchitis in May and a lack of motivation, I quit training, and eating clean. (Sigh) I went back to Little Caesar $5 Hot and Ready Pizzas, .79 cents Polar Pops, and homemade sugar cookies. Not to mention, very little to no working out. And…if I did work out, it was something lazy like walking on the treadmill to make me feel a little better about eating the half a dozen sugar cookies sprinkled with sugar crystals and candy drops.
Holy bananas! How could I do that to myself after all of that hard work that I put in? Do you remember all of my posts last year about Off Season Prep, meeting with the trainer in Chicago, and the 21 Day Fix Extreme? If not, just check the archives.
Then today, I was knocked on my ass again! I was simply asked for my grad school transcripts. But, when I logged into the University’s portal to print them off, I realized it had been three years since I took an administrative withdrawal from the Ph. D program. (Sigh) Had I not quit, I would have been graduating with my Ph. D in Leadership and Organizational Change this year. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. But, instead, I am sitting here wishing for it instead of working for it…cringing at the thought of the ones that are finishing up their programs and preparing for spring and summer commencement. You know? That could be me. But, wait. I quit.
I don’t quite remember what was going on at the time. You know, the reason why I took the leave of absence? I don’t remember if I was too busy, was ready to work full-time, was tired of school, or just lost my motivation. I tend to do that a lot. I really just don’t remember. What I do know, is that as of today this is the last time, I am going to start something and just let it fall by the wayside because of a lack of motivation or anything else.
You see? These are the exact reasons why this year, my objective is to focus on less more. So, that I can narrow down a few things I want to work on and put my all into those few things instead of being scattered brained and all over the place like I can often be.
So, what do you think? Does this sound anything like you? If so, here are 5 things you can do right now to help you get back on track and focused!
- Create a vision board. I know we have all heard of them time and time again. But, if you work it, it will work.
- Brain Dump. Sit for about 10-15 minutes each day or week and brain dump. Write out all of those things that are on your mind. Then find another 10-15 minutes later on that day and organize what you can within in that list. My first list is not organized at all. It is a scraggly piece of paper with writing all over it. Later, I make it nicer and more organized. But, let me caution you. Don’t get so caught up into making it look good. The goal is to create a helpful list that allows you to focus, plan accordingly, and get shit done.
- Delegate or ask for help. Is there something that can be done by someone else? Can your mother make you one meal per week to help with the kiddos? Can your children take out the garbage and dust? Can your partner stop and get the groceries? Can the intern make your follow up calls? Do you get my drift?
- Put 15 minutes aside right now…and get something done! Walk for 15 minutes around the block. Drink a glass of water. Take out the trash. Return or make the phone call you have been putting off. Answer an email. Shred those old bills. Just get something done right now according to your own personal goals.
- Pat yourself on the back. No seriously. Have you considered everything else you have accomplished today, yesterday, in the past week, month, or year? If not, do so. Write out a list, add it to your Evernote account, or your notepad on your phone. Whatever it takes. Just put it out there. It will motivate you to keep going and know that you can get things done!
So, there you are. Cheers to getting shit done!
