Have you ever wondered why you didn’t stay with something? Have you ever thought you lacked self control or had no discipline? The fact is that we can and do stay with things. We all have self control and we all have discipline. It just might not be where we’re looking for it (or really need it!).
When I began to understand that we all have the same capacity within us to achieve whatever we committed to, my life changed. I took responsibility. I discovered my values and set my priorities; and planned my life to honor them. From that perspective, I created and implemented what I call my personal Power 5 or P5 practices.
One of the thought leaders that I enjoy and learn from every time I hear from him is Robin Sharma. In his Little Black Book for Stunning Success (visit his website and get it if you don’t have it already!) he talks about this subject and shares his own personal daily practices that bring him personal power. Some of his practices were aligned to mine. The list below combines them:
A writing practice One approach to this comes from Julia Cameron in her program The Artist’s Way. Personal development expert Brian Tracy advocates beginning each day by re-writing your top ten goals. What works for me is to take the time to center my thoughts through expression. This can be digital writing, hand writing or even recording your voice. But create a journal that is part of your routine. I’ve done a prayer journal, a gratitude journal and for one period of time I did a health journal. Choose to write and then write!
A movement practice This can be stretching, walking, a work-out; whatever meets your own need best. Sometimes it’s good to alternate but have time devoted to your physical body. Remember that this is part of a routine that’s going to generate power in your day.
A nourishment practice Are you someone who skips breakfast? Stop. It was the one “habit” hardest for me to break that has made the most difference. A smoothie, a piece of fruit – something that generates fuel. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase – “If you want the lamp to keep burning, you must put oil in it.”
A spiritual practice This can be reading, listening to music,meditating or prayer or any combination. This is a personal space but extremely important. We were created as a multi-dimensional being and we must care for each of those dimensions.
A learning practice Each day should have some activity included that is about enhancing your skills or increasing your knowledge. Whenever I do not have an actual activity planned, I spend at least 30 minutes reading or listening to an audio or podcast. This is also a great one to do in conjunction with the physical routine. The key is that it has priority and it part of your daily plan.
Sometimes when we don’t know what our next big adventure is going to be; the best thing to do is to just focus on these daily practices and let it unfold. Some times living the question is what lets the answers appear.
A valuable lesson I’ve learned is that creating meaningful change is less about what we stop doing and more about what we start doing. Begin here. Establish your own version of a Power 5 routine. Commit to staying with it for the next 30 days. Something tells me this time, you will continue. There is power in daily practices.
Live today like you want tomorrow to be. Live well!