Month: January 2022

Three Reasons to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone & Take a Walk on the Wild Side

You’ve got your schedule down. It’s predictable. A bit boring, perhaps, but you can deal with it. Then you notice it: you’re slogging through the day, productivity is down, you feel like you’re on autopilot.

 

This is the perfect time to get out of your comfort zone and take a walk on the wild side.

What will getting out of your comfort zone do for you?

Here are three reasons I like to kick that comfort zone to the side every now and then. Doing something outside of my comfort zone can:

  1. Jumpstart creativity and kick boredom to the curb. Entering an unfamiliar space can help approach issues in a new way. The result: increased creativity, enthusiasm, and productivity!
  2. Gain a new perspective. When we step outside of our comfort zones, we have the opportunity to look at the world through a new lens. That lets us see different ways of looking at an issue to discover a compromise that will work for all.
  3. Remind us that we’ve developed a host of skills. That story our inner voice loves to tell about our weaknesses and insecurities? Maybe that story isn’t accurate.
    • Hate networking? Try going to a networking event and see if that’s actually true.
    • Not a good cook? Get that recipe out and have at it.
    • Exercise makes your skin crawl? Get outta here: go for a walk!
    • Not good at sales? Oh yes you are!
    • Strategic planning isn’t your thing? What if it is?
    • Don’t like hiking? Try it; you might find you like it.

So…stick your toe out. Get out of your comfort zone and get out of that rut. Stretch yourself, and enjoy that walk on the wild side!

Three Reasons to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone & Take a Walk on the Wild Side was last modified: January 28th, 2022 by Deb Nelson

Focus on Your Progress and Watch it Grow!

Staying focused to reach our health goals can be daunting. What’s a person to do when it’s so easy to get sidetracked and follow the latest shiny object that shows up in our inbox or social media feeds?!?!

Here are a few things I’ve noticed:

What gets measured gets completed.

Want to read a certain number of books this year? Log onto Good Reads, set up an account, and record your progress. You can connect with others on this site and get and give book recommendations. (And, yes, setting a goal to read books is a health goal.)

Small steps add up to success.

Want to achieve a big health goal? AWESOME! Break that goal down into bite-sized action steps. Celebrate every time you reach a milestone. Track your progress on a chart, excel spreadsheet, poster, or post-it. Share your success with friends, family, and colleagues. Need help reaching that goal? Recruit someone to join your team or join an online group for accountability. Just focus on your progress and watch it grow as you acknowledge each achievement along the way to that large goal.

That negative self-talk can be silenced.

When those doubts about your ability to achieve your health goals creep in (and they always do), respond with a quick and powerful “I got this!” and keep going one step at a time! Putting your focus on positive thoughts will spur you on to keep moving toward those health goals!!

Focus on your progress and watch it grow!
Focus on Your Progress and Watch it Grow! was last modified: January 19th, 2022 by Deb Nelson

What Does Healthy Look Like to You?

There’s a lot of buzz around health and wellness, and self-care has become a readily accepted concept. Yay for that!! Let’s dig a little deeper, though, and ask a question: what does it mean to be healthy?

Once we ask that question, a BUNCH of clarifying questions jump to mind.

What does healthy feel like?

Do I have to eat a perfect diet to be healthy?

Is there a perfect diet?

I’m not an athlete. Can I still be healthy?

Am I too stressed to be healthy?Healthy

How much time does it take to be healthy?

Does happiness play a role in health?

Where does wellness fit into being healthy?

How do I find time for self-care?

Meditation, really?

Does being healthy mean I have to go to the gym everyday FOREVER?

 

Yikes – that’s a lot of questions. Once our minds start questioning something, roadblocks appear all over the place!

Where to begin?

Take a deep breath.

Take two minutes and write down what healthy means to you:

What does healthy look like?

What does healthy feel like?

What do you need to do to be healthy?

What changes do you need to make to be healthy?

What one action can you take today to move toward healthy?

Remember:

To acknowledge your existing healthy habits.

Small steps add up to help you achieve big results.

Go for progress over perfection.

Celebrate your success.

Healthy looks different for each of us.

If you’re making changes to your lifestyle, setting short-term and long-term goals can be helpful. Work on areas that are important to you. Need a hand staying on track? Let’s talk.

You’ve got this!

What Does Healthy Look Like to You? was last modified: January 13th, 2022 by Deb Nelson