This Life Is Not A Dress Rehearsal
Written by: Sarah Alysse Rosner, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
What if we started saying yes to things we are fearful of doing instead of staying stuck in a box? Most months, my clients share with me that if they had more time, they could eat better, lose weight, get more sleep, etc. The truth is time keeps going, but we have the willpower to shift our thoughts. Our subconscious sometimes gets the best of us and puts our dreams on the back burner. Let’s look at how we can silence our negative thoughts, develop healthier habits, and find time for our passion.
Change Your Story
In almost every play, a character arch takes place where a transformation happens in that person’s life. On that journey, the character may face an abundance of obstacles, but by asking for assistance, learning a new skill, or taking a risk, that person is able to become a stronger version of themselves. Usually, the ending is a happy result because of that journey. Instead of concentrating on what could go wrong, let’s focus on what will go right! Flip your perspective. Challenge yourself to ask for help instead of staying stuck by yourself. If you feel like you can’t progress at work or in your personal life, take on a skill or activity that will light you up. Don’t wait for 5 years to go by and regret that you didn’t start doing or trying something new. I have heard all the reasons why “I can’t,” but imagine how empowering it will be to say, “I can.” What can you do today to get you one step closer to where you want to be?
Celebrate Your Past Successes
Unfortunately, many of us focus on failures which keep us in a negative headspace. There are lots of moments in our lives that we can look back on and celebrate.
Here are some places to look for those successes:
A pivotal moment in your life, passing a major test, sports championship, getting the lead role in a show, performing, closing a deal, buying your 1st home, engagement, wedding, 1st child, starting a business, traveling outside of the country, donating to your favorite cause, or spending time with a friend you haven’t seen in a while. It doesn’t matter how big or small, and the choices are endless!
Now, find an area in your life where you feel discouraged or unhappy. I want you to look at all your past successes and celebrate them. For all intents and purposes, let us use the example of not being able to get enough sleep. Two years ago, you were able to go to bed early because you had a work-life balance. The excuse has been that you have a new leadership role, so you need to work later. Focus on that time you had balance. Let’s identify what worked for you then and try to adjust accordingly. This could be as simple as you used to shut down the computer right after work and feel immediately relaxed. Then by 9 pm, you were able to fall fast asleep and felt rejuvenated the next day. How did you prepare yourself for bed then? Apply that to your life again because it clearly worked for you before.
Take Action
By this stage, you hopefully have changed your story and used your past successes to take the necessary steps forward. Now, let’s go further and identify your MITs (most important tasks). Time management is the hardest to apply to your life, especially if you continually say, “I don’t have the time.” I highly recommend using MITs to gain an extra hour in your day. Pick 3 things that you want to get done the next day, then check them off your list. Just like the successes, these don’t need to be huge. They could include anything from scheduling an appointment to meal planning for the following week. Choose and complete these easy tasks so that you feel comfortable enough to take on more challenging ones.
Remember, this life is meant for you to LIVE, so instead of piling stress on, take things off your plate!
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Sarah Alysse Rosner, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Sarah Alysse is a corporate stress management coach that helps companies cultivate a low stress environment so that their employees can be happier and more productive. She’s the creator and CEO of Live Well Enhance You which formed out of a need for her Pilates clients to find balance in their lives. She branched into the corporate market to assist employees in creating out of the box wellness solutions. She utilizes her BFA Musical Theater Performance background to coach others how to be confident and understand the connection between the brain and body. Spanning over a decade, Sarah has collected an abundance of certifications from Integrative Institute of Nutrition, STOTT Pilates, to National Academy of Sports Medicine. She’s been featured on WGN's Living Healthy and WGN Around Town’s segment as a Stress Management Expert. Also, she has been promoted on Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, Authority, Kivo Daily, LA Wire, The Chicago Journal, NY Wire, NY Weekly, IdeaMensch, and US Reporter. In addition, she’s the host of the Stress Free SOULutions podcast.
