Focus and being intentional are key. Otherwise, life just happens to you. That is why pushing yourself to do hard things is critical. Being mindful of what truly matters to you and spending time on those activities is where true happiness and accomplishment come from.

In the last two blogs I have discussed the importance of focusing on work and your relationships. The last area is taking care of and focusing some time on yourself. Of the three areas of your life (relationships, work and self), focus on your “self” is the one area that is usually most neglected.

Consider the following:

Sometimes we are so focused on the other areas of our lives that we actually lose ourselves. Take a moment for reflection on some of the key attributes that you might be neglecting or that are non-existent in your personal life. It could be areas like your health, entertainment, your faith, talents you want to develop, things that you want to learn or try (bucket list), relationships that you want to nurture, goals that you personally want to accomplish. Write them down. Set goals for those areas.
We live in the age of the knowledge worker. A number of us use our brains and our knowledge to make a living. What are you doing to care for your brain? Do you even know how to care for your brain? What are you doing to stretch and exercise your brain? You need to protect and care for your brain. Consider researching the work of Dr. Daniel Amen if you want to know more about caring for your brain.
How is your diet? Are you eating healthy? Are you taking care of yourself? Are you regularly getting the exercise that you need. Remember, sitting is the new smoking. Too much sitting can be harmful to your health. Be sure to get up and move regularly during the day. If you work from a desk during the day, consider a standing desk to help you sit less. A short walk around the building will do wonders. How about sleep? Are you getting the 7-8 hours that you need each night? Be vigilant. If it were easy, everyone would do it!
Self reflection and meditation are key skills for relaxation and ensuring that you are focused on those things that matter most. Consider 10-15 minutes of mediation every day. There are “apps for that” if you need help getting started.
We are social creatures. How well are you build and maintain real relationships? Block out some time to re-connect and hangout with friends. Throw a party. Start a book club. Go out to lunch. Just go for a walk and talk.
How are you continually learning? Expand your knowledge. Take an evening or online class. Block out time to read. Listen to audiobooks. Subscribe to a magazine that interests you. Check to see if you company offers professional development and sign up. Attend a conference.
Take a personal intermission. It could be 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 4 hours, a day, a week. Time just for yourself.
Plan! Plan your day. Plan your week. Plan your month. Plan your year. Plan your life. Again, be intentional. What is it that you want to accomplish? What is it that you want to be known for? What is it that will bring you personal joy and inner peace? Write it down!
Execute on your plan. Review your plan regularly. Daily incorporate some items from your plan. Block out time. The plans that are outside of your day-to-day are the hardest to incorporate into your routine. The magic is making that time a priority.

This is a long list of things to consider. It can be overwhelming. Start by picking one or two things. Work on them until they are a habits and then add one or two additional things. It is so important to take time to focus and care for yourself. You are the only you that you’ve got!