Avoiding 'Self Improvement' Burn Out!
It seems everywhere I turn there is pressure to be better, do better, live better; and I want those things - I really do actively strive for better ways to move, nourish, and create! I am committed to my beginner status in all things life and love being a student to all the lessons as they unfold!
Even so, I find myself asking … am I there yet?
I think to myself; if, as someone who has chosen to support people with their self improvement as a career, I can reach burn out on this journey - how must the people who follow me feel with my constant barrage of information about being better, doing better and living better?
Are all these practices too much?
Is there room in it all to 'just be'; is there 'balance' in my life; am I doing this 'right'? Avoiding burn out lies in those three questions!
Just be...
This is a new concept for me but one that I am thoroughly enjoying!
Here's the thing, self improvement is never ending … there is no 'arrival' gate at your perfect Self; with that in mind, there is no deadline, or schedule that you have to follow; or 'should be' at. There is only you, and your knowledge that you are committed to being your best self through action.
Permission to 'just be' isn't stopping, or giving up, it's savouring the moment! In everyday I give myself permission to just be, quietly offering myself a place of nonjudgement and appreciation for all those efforts I am making!
There is absolutely nothing to be lost by slowing down to enjoy the process; reflecting on how far you have come, or ensuring you are still heading in the right direction! Mindfulness offers so much more than being in the moment … awareness, judgement free observation, and an on purpose approach to life. In your quest for improvement, just be - on purpose!
On Balance …
Check in with your perceptions here, balance can be a slippery slope! I use to think that balance was equality across all parts of my life; at all times - hint: that sounds a lot like a perfection trip!
What I have come to realize is balance for me, is fluid; a flow that rises and falls over my life and all it's parts easily. Some days are all work, others are all play, some days I do both, and some days I accomplish nothing … it's balance in my world!
You see by Oxford balance is a few different things and one of them is; an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady … another is; a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions … to me these definitions are about fluidity, shifting with the option of equal or correct proportions to support you staying upright!
The idea that balance is equal, or static in our lives day after day, really smacks of perfection which of course would make it unattainable, because perfection doesn't exist!
Fluid was one of my three Core Desired Feelings this year; so this concept of balance being fluid was born of that. In order to feel Fluid, or move with ease through my journey I needed to stop holding my breath looking for balance, and move through my life as it happened. No longer beating myself up if there was too much work, or too much play … I move with ease through all aspects of my life as they, or most importantly 'I', require!
On a 'Right' way …
The right way to make and sustain your self improvement efforts is to listen to your inner wisdom, to respect your Self, and let go of expectations! Expectations limit you, they hold you back, and can totally destroy your appreciation for small victories!
As you set about making changes, whether it's nutrition, fitness, or anything else; know this - no two bodies will ever respond the same way to a program, your body is unique - a one of a kind, limited edition - respect and love it as such; and finally be patient! In a world of expecting instant gratification allow yourself the time to live the process, enjoy the journey and truly benefit from everything you learn along the way!
Take the time to not only assess what needs to be worked on, or where you think you can improve; think about all the things that you are rocking at right now! All to often we are so driven by our need to improve things about ourselves, that we lose sight of all the awesomeness we already have in our lives! This my friends will lead to always 'wanting', it's exhausting and seldom a place of joy!
As you take in all the world has to offer in terms of 'do this - don't do that' for a better life; consider this … our journeys all ultimately end at the same destination; finding joy in our days brings us to having had joy in our life … self improvement is a direction; not a destination!
Even so, I find myself asking … am I there yet?
I think to myself; if, as someone who has chosen to support people with their self improvement as a career, I can reach burn out on this journey - how must the people who follow me feel with my constant barrage of information about being better, doing better and living better?
Are all these practices too much?
Is there room in it all to 'just be'; is there 'balance' in my life; am I doing this 'right'? Avoiding burn out lies in those three questions!
Just be...
This is a new concept for me but one that I am thoroughly enjoying!
Here's the thing, self improvement is never ending … there is no 'arrival' gate at your perfect Self; with that in mind, there is no deadline, or schedule that you have to follow; or 'should be' at. There is only you, and your knowledge that you are committed to being your best self through action.
Permission to 'just be' isn't stopping, or giving up, it's savouring the moment! In everyday I give myself permission to just be, quietly offering myself a place of nonjudgement and appreciation for all those efforts I am making!
There is absolutely nothing to be lost by slowing down to enjoy the process; reflecting on how far you have come, or ensuring you are still heading in the right direction! Mindfulness offers so much more than being in the moment … awareness, judgement free observation, and an on purpose approach to life. In your quest for improvement, just be - on purpose!
On Balance …
Check in with your perceptions here, balance can be a slippery slope! I use to think that balance was equality across all parts of my life; at all times - hint: that sounds a lot like a perfection trip!
What I have come to realize is balance for me, is fluid; a flow that rises and falls over my life and all it's parts easily. Some days are all work, others are all play, some days I do both, and some days I accomplish nothing … it's balance in my world!
You see by Oxford balance is a few different things and one of them is; an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady … another is; a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions … to me these definitions are about fluidity, shifting with the option of equal or correct proportions to support you staying upright!
The idea that balance is equal, or static in our lives day after day, really smacks of perfection which of course would make it unattainable, because perfection doesn't exist!
Fluid was one of my three Core Desired Feelings this year; so this concept of balance being fluid was born of that. In order to feel Fluid, or move with ease through my journey I needed to stop holding my breath looking for balance, and move through my life as it happened. No longer beating myself up if there was too much work, or too much play … I move with ease through all aspects of my life as they, or most importantly 'I', require!
On a 'Right' way …
The right way to make and sustain your self improvement efforts is to listen to your inner wisdom, to respect your Self, and let go of expectations! Expectations limit you, they hold you back, and can totally destroy your appreciation for small victories!
As you set about making changes, whether it's nutrition, fitness, or anything else; know this - no two bodies will ever respond the same way to a program, your body is unique - a one of a kind, limited edition - respect and love it as such; and finally be patient! In a world of expecting instant gratification allow yourself the time to live the process, enjoy the journey and truly benefit from everything you learn along the way!
As you take in all the world has to offer in terms of 'do this - don't do that' for a better life; consider this … our journeys all ultimately end at the same destination; finding joy in our days brings us to having had joy in our life … self improvement is a direction; not a destination!
Comments
Post a Comment