#54
When we set out to achieve big things, we often underestimate the importance of rest. What we also tend to ignore is our own progress!
With songs like “No Rest for the Wicked” and “All I Do is Win” on our playlist, we power through days when we didn’t get enough sleep, and meetings that came out of the blue, and requests that take us off course, and most of all – we commit to conquering the tasks on our to-do list every week like it’s a life or death mission.
Here’s the thing. By the end of the week we are expecting to know more (about life and ourselves) than we do at the start of the week, since we are constantly exposed to new information. So why aren’t we more flexible when it comes to our goals?
The first obvious answer is control. We like to (try to) be in control. But what the world has shown us in the past few years is that there’s a lot that’s outside of our control. As long as we remain open to change, we will be able to adjust to the fluid circumstances.
The second not-so-obvious answer is that we are operating from a lack mindset.
When we operate from a lack mindset, we are busy focusing on how far away from us is what we want at the moment, instead of appreciating every next step forward to the finish line.
A lack mindset is destructive to your energy, because:
It makes you doubt your efforts (“Am I really on the right track?”)
It tempts you to compare your progress with others (“Why am I not there yet?”)
It robs you of natural state of joy and curiosity (“This plan better work…”)
It forms negative loops in your thoughts (“I should have made more progress already…”)
Without energy you can’t create the same progress you’d otherwise be able to accomplish.
So if your answer to today’s question is that you don’t actually celebrate the little wins, don’t worry – you’re not alone. But here are two effective ways that you can do that!
1. REST
Rest is needed to replenish your energy, so that you can be productive, focused and creative in your active working mode.
Rest can be meditation, spending time in nature, napping or listening to some calming music while you do nothing for 10 minutes.
The point of resting is to give your mind a break!
2. RECOGNITION
Recognition is needed to reinforce your power, restore your confidence in a way that’s based on your input rather than the outcomes and learn how to go with the flow on your own and with others.
You can practice recognition by journaling about your progress, treating yourself to a reward in your comfort zone (a cup of tea with a Netflix film) or a reward outside of your comfort zone (traveling to a location you’ve wanted to visit for a long time).
The point of recognition is to embrace the many joys of the journey and to learn to celebrate yourself as the hero of your own journey.
