Thrive, Don’t Just Survive!

Thrive, Don’t (Just) Survive!

It’s fairly common knowledge that many people today feel ‘overwhelm(ed)’, on a regular basis. And it’s also fair to say that many of those same people are also not taking enough quality time out and making themselves their first priority.

Surviving and thriving are at two ends of an extreme. Survival mode exists when you simply live through a day, a week, a month or even a year (or years). And while you may well be accomplishing many things, they’re not values driven enough to make you thrive!

If you’re not thriving, let’s review your circumstances to see how you’re living your life and whether it’s serving you fully. Here’s some prompts:

. Are you happy in your life and circumstances – and celebrate it?

. Do you wake with a sense of positivity and excitement?

. Is gratitude for what you have opportunity to do, part of your regular routine?

. Does your diary often contain several upcoming and fun, joyful or indulgent activities and events designed simply to bring you pleasure?

. Are you calm, mellow and ready to healthfully rest by a reasonable bedtime?

Conversely:

. Do you find many of your tasks consistently slipping their deadlines, and are many of these interrupting of quality time for yourself?

. Are you short-tempered or resentful with others whose needs press against yours?

. Do you often cancel ‘you time’ to instead make room for tasks you find less pleasurable, or ‘dutiful’?

. Do you envy others’ lifestyles – particularly on social media – while denying yourself the same opportunities because you feel less worthy?

. Is resentment, anger or depression an emotional state you feel, often?

And, finally:

. Are your thoughts dominantly more positive (empowering) than negative (disempowering)?

Take some time to check each question and decide if you’re pleased, or not, with your answers (go with your first genuine impulse). If you’ve identified themes, closely look at any/all thoughts and feelings generated, and determine whether there is a significant pattern throughout that is not serving your very best self. If so, what simple additions or subtractions can you make right now to lend more balance to your lifestyle?

Intently ask yourself:

. Where is my mind focused when I’m feeling my best?

. If I want my life circumstances to improve or shift, who can I model?

. What am I not seeing that with greater clarity will lend me the focus to handle my lifestyle with ease and priority?

. If you respond more negatively to questions that show a default of stress, overwhelm, pain, or exhaustion, what are some practical actions that you can do to reclaim equilibrium, and quality peace?

Stress and overwhelm are closely linked and represent largely a loss of control, without a sense of confidence in regaining it. Control in this sense is a simile for confidence – in your capacity and capability to manage what you need to do, or want to do. To get into this state of certainty, think back to the things that overwhelm you:

. Have you unconsciously set yourself up for failure?

. Do you allocate insufficient time to accomplish things or are you best guessing/pushing yourself unnecessarily hard?

. Are you regularly delegating (but) ineffectively?

If any of the answers to these last few questions are yes – reframe them taking into account:

. Is this vitally important, fullstop?

. Is this task potentially important?

. Is this task important enough to add quality to my life and lifestyle?

. Is his task a value-add to my family, business, or lifestyle?

Finally, ask yourself some broader quality questions:

It’s important you fill your days with things that grow you and fulfill you. Learn to make quality of life your primary focus, and you’ll – quickly – be thriving!