It’s late on Friday and I was supposed to get this newsletter out earlier. However, I had some choices to make.
It’s a perfect segue into the topic of this message (and the reason I decided to write it)
Let’s face it, most people these days have A LOT going on. I refuse to use the word busy, because that’s such an overused phrase for doing a bunch of random crap.
On the other hand, having many great things on your project plan is fine. The challenge comes when we have competing priorities that are due at the same time, and unable to get them all done.
This is typically a source of great stress, but I see that as a good thing.
Earlier this year, I wrote about stress and how it’s actually good for you, so check it out if you missed it.
When we have tasks that align with our goals and passions, positive stress helps drive us to get them done quicker and more efficiently. However, sometimes we just have to let a ball or two drop.
If not, the stress becomes counterproductive and creates a negative impact on health, wellness, and productivity.
This is where the Pareto principle comes in. I’ve written about this too. It states that 80% or more of your results will come from 20% or less of your efforts.
Finding out what this 20% is and getting it done is critical to success in health, wellness, business and life.
For most people, the first thing to go when life get’s “busy” is health, fitness, and self-care. This is the exact opposite approach needed for success.
Your physical and mental health is the foundation of your energy, happiness and productivity across all areas of life. I believe that making time to care for these areas is non-negotiable.
This doesn’t mean you will spend hours in the gym when life is packed with work and family commitments.
It simply means that prioritizing small blocks of time for health and activity is a smart thing to do.
I haven’t done a workout today, but I’ve made sure to:
- Stick to my morning routine (albeit slightly shorter)
- Stand up and move a couple times every hour (My sit/stand desk is in storage)
- Plan for a short burst of higher heart rate activity later today
I just got home after a week of teaching a course and meeting with my business mastermind group. The lower portion of our house under construction and my family is working out how to live out of the upstairs portion without driving each other crazy. My home office isn’t fully set up yet and I have several looming project deadlines.
Needless to say, there is a fair bit of stress. However, all of the things going on are planned and on my project list, and I’m excited about accomplishing them. Despite this, it’s not physically possible to get everything done.
Keeping on track simply requires that I focus on what’s most important, why it’s important, and which areas are going to provide the greatest impact on my business, family, and life.
This is why my email didn’t get out earlier. I prioritized some other projects and family items before writing this message.
You may be asking why I didn’t just let this ball drop. There are a few important reasons.
First, my business and coaching is dedicated to being genuine and delivering value to all the people who have chosen to follow my messages.
I take this responsibility seriously, and I felt they circumstances of the past week would provide some helpful insight and learning to you.
Second, I made a commitment to myself in December last year to write my emails consistently throughout the year.
This means there are no excuses. I’ve kept that promise and intent to keep honoring it.
Finally, it’s almost the weekend and coming up to one of the busiest seasons of the year.
I hope that you use this information to have your best, most productive, and happiest fall ever!
Here’s a quick overview of how to 80/20 your life:
- Determine what’s most important to you in life and work (aligned with your values and beliefs)
- Look at the items on your plate. Which ones need to be done? Which ones can only you do? What can be eliminated?
- Delete the things that don’t need to be done.
- Delegate the ones that you don’t need to do.
- Of the things you need to do, which one or two things, if completed, would make the biggest impact?
- Set a timeline and get them done in that timeline. Aim for good enough, not perfection.
- Repeat this process each day.
Ok, I’m back to the next task on my list.
In 2 hours it will be time to pick up the kids, have a family movie night, and enjoy a Friday sushi dinner and wine with my amazing wife!
Have a great weekend!
Tim
When you are ready to make faster more effective progress on your health and fitness journey, so you can live the life you want…here are FOUR ways I can help.
- Learn Where You Stand on Your Fitness Scorecard
The best 3 minutes you will spend today! These 8 questions will show you the right areas of focus to quickly improve your health and fitness.
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This book is your step by step guide to mastering the 4 Pillars of Personal Performance (Mindset, Habits, Movement, Fuel) to look great, feel amazing, reach your goals, and live your best life. If you are self-motivated, love to read, and ready to change your life, respond by email me with the word “CURVEBALL” in the subject line. - Join my VIP Online Coaching program.
This is your chance to work with me one on one, regardless of where you live. Get private coaching in each of the 4 Pillars of performance and leverage my 25+ years of fitness and performance coaching. Reply by email with the word “COACH” in the subject line and we will set up a quick call to figure out if we are a good fit to work together. - Visit the FRESH! Studio for Private or small group coaching
Sometimes meeting in person and working and working in our private studio setting is the best way to light that fire under your butt and facilitate the results you want in your health, fitness, and life. Just sayin’.
Respond with “STUDIO” in the Subject Line
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