I am convinced 2013 is going to be an amazing year. Every year I say that it’s going to be a good year but this year feels like it’s going to be really special. Professionally, I’ve accomplished some pretty amazing stuff in 2012 , things that have laid the foundation for 2013 to be the best yet:
I’ve moved into a new studio that I adore with more space, tools and comforts for my clients.
Thrive Personal Fitness is 3 years old! 90% of small businesses don’t make it that far.
I’ve been accepted as a FitFluential ambassador, which really makes me feel like I’ve come into my own as a blogger.
I feel confident that all the hard work is paying off. I feel like this year is the year it goes to another level.
Which also scares me to death.
I tend to have 2 speeds – go and stop. And when I stop, I stop hard. I’m usually exhausted and hanging on to my frayed rope when a vacation or a holiday rolls around. I’ve done better recently, adjusting my schedule to allow for more time to do the things that I need to do for me, like have dinner with Brian or read a good book.
But I still have a long way to go. My personal goal for 2013 is to work on balance. Down time is hard for me, much like exercise is for those who come to me for help. Meditation was a sporadic endeavor, something to do on a “free” day. Except I rarely have a day that is free. I put meditation on my to do list but it gets easily pushed to the side, much like a workout was when I was first trying to get fit. I need a meditation plan just like the exercise plans I create for others. Here is my plan to make good on my commitment to balance in 2013:
- Something is always better than nothing.
Meditation, like exercise, isn’t all about quantity. If I have 5 minutes, or even just one, I can use it to calm my breathing and mind, resetting my focus for the rest of the day. - Schedule it.
It’s not just about being on the to-do list, it’s about having a small piece of my schedule set aside for the purpose of meditation. I will use my planner to schedule “balance breaks”. I’m committing to 4 of these breaks a week. - Get the right tools.
I’ve read the Idiots Guide to Meditation and I still use it’s techniques to help me sleep or to remember to be grateful at the end of the day. But I need more structure, more guidance for my balance breaks. There are 2 tools I’m using right now that I love. The first is meditation podcasts; Meditation Oasis is my current favorite. The second is GaiamTV. When I won the 3-month trial I had no idea what I was going to do with it. Then I realized how much information they had to offer besides the yoga videos I expected. They have great guided meditation videos and instructional audio presentations. They have movies and videos on personal development from experts like Deepak Chopra and Marianne Williamson. They even have exercise videos, like the Firm and Jillian Michaels, for when I want to try something new.
I am proud to say I’ve been keeping my commitment to myself and I feel all the better for it. I don’t feel as tightly wound as I normally do. I’m able to take things more in stride, not freaking out over minor curve balls. I am generally happier and able to be more present instead of worrying about what comes next. My ability to focus on writing and other desk tasks is better. All of these things are going to help me make 2013 the exceptional year it is destined to be.
