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- 1 habit to rule them all?
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Good morning, 66.1ers.
Linchpin?
Was talking with a patient the other day. His big goal is pain management. Wants to get his pain under control so he can go back to work, provide for his family, feel like he’s creating value for the people he cares about.
He told me this week that everything is better when he starts his day by going to the 8:30 AM daily church service. Less time on his phone, more energy, more smiles. All this means more productivity, more exercise, less pain, better relationship with his wife.
Got me to wondering:
Does everyone have something like this?
Something that, if you did it, the rest of your day may not be perfect, but it can’t be bad?
If we do all have something like this in our lives, what are the characteristics?
100s of patients + clients have led me to this hypothesis: most people have something of the sort, but many don’t know it. Put differently, their gut might know it, but their head might have neglected it.
My coach says it’s hard to help people when they’re stuck in “intellectual” mode. They rationalize away all the helpful solutions that cross their desk because they think they have to put their head down and “just get through this”. Once they’re through it, then they can relax. Do they ever relax? Do they ever get help?
Much of the world is stuck here. Prefrontal cortex working overtime, and the result is a bunch of people thinking their way to what they think(!) are solutions. What if, instead of thinking your way out of your problem, whether it be your search for a new job, a life partner, or decreased BMI, you felt your way toward it? Followed your energy?
Ever spent time around someone who’s just happy where they’re at, no matter where they’re at? They’re not worried, not stressed, not constantly planning the next thing? Are they missing out because they’re so present? Did they get here because they have the biggest, most powerful prefrontal cortex?
Back to the beginning, the topic at hand: the “linchpin” habit. How to identify it? Where to start? How about a few questions? Answer these and maybe you’ll start toward that thing that can jumpstart your day, your life?
Buckle up…
1. What would you do if every meeting was cancelled for the next week?
Try to reschedule all of them?
Work on your taxes?
Clean the toilet?
2. Which activities give you energy?
Work meetings?
Counting calories?
Commuting?
3. Which people give you energy?
Boss?
Spouse?
Coworkers?
Now, can you put all these in a blender?
Patient from the beginning liked church for the reflection time, the people, the clarity. Left him feeling energized, focused and at peace. Other people have told me it’s jiu jitsu. Others still have said hunting, backpacking, rafting. Rotary Club, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus. Are you noticing any patterns?
Have fun out there.
Marcus
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