Self-Contemplation and Success

Many people I know say they don’t have money to spend on themselves right now. I understand that concept. I carefully plan my errands so that I make a circle of several stops and try not to waste even an ounce of gasolinemoney is tight all around. However, that does not mean that there are no options for good self care. Here are just a few. Some of these mayspeak to you and others may not. The purpose of this list is really just to get you to think outside the box about thecost of self care.

SLEEP There is no more important element to self care than getting good quality adequate sleep. Learn how to turn off your brain so that it will let your body and mind get the rest is needs. Develop agoing to bed ritual that will let your mind know that now is the time to sleep. It is especially helpful if you go to bed at the same time every evening.

GOOD NUTRITION Eat real food…fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, nothing from a box. Drink plenty of water. If you eat real food you do not have to worry about the ingredients list. Eating a carrot is much more likely to be beneficial than popping a pill full of beta carotene. Who knows what other beneficial micronutrients there are in carrots.

DAILY EXERCISE I am not talking about going to a gym and working out for an hour every daya walk around the block with friends is a great way to fill your soul. The real key is getting up and movingone step in front of the other, repeatedly.

MASSAGE When I die and go to heaven, my own personal masseuse will meet me at the pearly gates and be my angel for eternity. Does that give you any idea how much I enjoy a massage?

There are ways to get good massages at bargain ratesor better yet, for free. Check your area for massage programs at a local technical/community college and local massage schools. Periodically, many of these schools/programs offer massages at significantly reduced rates. The last massage I received at a massage school cost me $20 for a one hour massage. If you are worried about the quality of the massage, don’t begive it a try at least once. If you are not satisfied you don’t have to go back.

Also, think about bartering with your favorite massage therapist for services. There are probably all sorts of things you can offer in exchange for a free or reduced cost massage. Don’t be shyask for 100% of what you want and be ready to negotiate.

READING Remember the public library? There are thousands of books just waiting to be read. If, like me, you really enjoy getting lost in a good book, think about a trip to a library in your area. Some libraries even have contemporary paper backs to check out. When I actually buy the latest and greatest paperback book, I always donate it to the library for their paperback collection once I have finished it. Re-cycling paperback books is just one way to use the library to promote your selfcare.

MEDITATION It’s free. You may want to join a group or class to learn the ins and outs of the meditation process. Once you have the basics down, all it takes is time and a commitment on your part.

BUBBLE BATH This, like meditation, takes a bit of planning so you will not be disturbed. The results can be amazing.

There are lots of other free/cheap ways to pamper yourself. Stretch yourself, think outside your box and find your own bliss on a budget.

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Would you like to create more focus in your direct sales business? Go to Direct Sales Business Breathroughs and get my free guide on five ways to energize your business. Pat Mathews is an expert coach who focuses on helping you move your direct sales business from hobby to a “real” business. Self-Contemplation and Success19571Self-Contemplation and SuccessAs promised in my note above, myarticle today consists of a series of questions that will help you contemplate who you are, who you want to become and continue to be moving forward. Take some time this week (and continue to do this process on an ongoing basis) to just sit and allow these questions to bubble around in your mind. Write down whatever comes up for you. This kind of contemplation leads to deeper self-understanding and success, in both life and work, and directly relates to how you see yourself on the inside which leads to how you live on the outside.

  • What are my habits/practices that don’t work for me?
  • What are my habits/practices that do work for me?
  • What do I spend time doing that leaves me frustrated?
  • What am I happy/excited about in my life right now?
  • Is there anyone in my life that doesn’t feel good to be around?
  • Is there anything at home or in my workspace that doesn’t jive with me anymore?
  • What am I proud of about my life?
  • What am I grateful for in my life?
  • What negative judgments do I have about myself? About others?
  • Who do I love and who loves me and what does that love look/feel like?
  • How do I make the world a better place?
  • Do I spend any mental time on thoughts that make me feel cruddy?
  • What are my priorities and values at this time in my life and how to they manifest every day?
  • Is there anything else I can see in my life that doesn’t feel good?
  • What changes can I make moving forward that will dramatically improve my life?

    • Take all the time you need to answer these questions. Even just reading them through and thinking about them as you go through your day can get you results although I definitely recommend you write your answers down.

    Of course you know to have fun with this!

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    2009 Ruth Hegarty

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