Health & Fitness

Be Well: Sharpen Your Edge and Maximize Your Potential!

By Samantha Steele

Wow how time is flying! I have been pondering a lot these days about my life and what I might be remembered for when I am gone. Seems a bit dismal, but it is certainly a valuable exercise when contemplating stewardship. I am embracing the fact that I have more control than I realized over my time, influences and even future, so here are a few things I have applied to my own life that have proven to be very instrumental in sharpening my edge and maximizing my potential.

Let’s take a look at some key areas that you may want to tweak in order to be your best “future self.”

Minimize the following:
  • Possessions—Reduce your volume by 50 percent or more. Methodically empty all closets and spaces and remove half before you put back the items you are keeping.
  • Recurring Commitments—Reevaluate all subscriptions and memberships. What served you in the past might not be serving you currently or in the future.
  • Finances/Bank Accounts—Consolidate for the sake of simplicity and for future heirs.
  • Priorities—”If you have more than three priorities, you have none at all!” says Jim Collins, Entrepreneur. Make a list of priorities in which you are feeling impressed to invest your time, energy, and resources for this year. Extract the ones that are most important to you and put them at the top of the list. Make a strategy to reach the goals within these set three priorities before you move on to another area of priority. Be diligent to stick to these top priorities first.
  • Technological Distractions—Create spaces in your home and environment without technology to be still, quiet and calm. Convert your electronic calendar to hard copy. I am a strong proponent of limiting the use of electronics. I use a paper calendar that also doubles as a professional/creative/spiritual journal with plenty of free space included for my notes. Utilize your phone’s settings to enable “Focus Mode” periodically to make space for your priorities. Reduce the “noise” in your space by turning off talk radio and the television, and turning down the volume on your phone.
Maximize these things:
  • Big Dreams—Shoot for the stars! Setting lofty goals forces you to say no to the things that do not align, leaving room for big growth. You will end up achieving fewer but greater things. Embrace your unique design while discovering and fostering your unique abilities. Consider who you want to be in the future and walk in that new identity. To do this, jot down qualities and circumstances you are hoping for one year from now, five years, ten years. What will it take to accomplish these things you are hoping for?
  • Movement—Be creative about how to add more movement and exercise to your daily routine. Movement is vital for circulation, lymphatic health and strength, and increases blood flow to your brain. Moving can also promote strength and bone density. Challenge your body to see true gains.
  • Pursuit of Healthy Relationships—Adjust the company that you are keeping. You are the average of the five closest people to you. It’s wise to periodically reevaluate both personal and business relationships. Choose to keep the company with the types of people that emulate admirable qualities and attributes that you are striving for.
  • Optimism—People who are optimistic live longer and happier lives. At least I hope so!
  • Gratefulness—Try starting a gratefulness journal and read it to yourself weekly. Make notes about how you have grown and overcome obstacles that previously held you back.

Once you have eliminated and added many things to your life, let’s talk about time management. “Time block” on your paper calendar room for:

  1. Rest and rejuvenation (after both “good” and “bad” stressors)
  2. Time for focus, study, introversion, and social interaction

What is considered “restful” can be different for each person and some require more than others. For me, rest is always necessary after we visit family or when company visits us; hiking on our property for several hours at a time, maybe even doing some landscaping, is very restorative. For others, sitting or lounging while reading or watching something is very restful.

Increase your opportunity for focus by grouping activities together so that you are not scattered with your hands in many different things all day long. For example, your focus day could have you immersed in studying wild mushrooms from 9-12 p.m. in your library, and then in the afternoon you could work on pruning your bonsai trees. And then on a social day you can make all your phone calls within the morning hours, and in the afternoon go to doctors’ appointments, work at your job or visit with friends.

I hope these tips have shed light on the opportunities that await you in this next season of life. You have a lot to look forward to and your potential is in your hands—it’s limitless, so get started today!

Return to Featured Content on the Home Page >>