Are you making yourself a priority?

I am the first to admit there are seasons of life where we just take a backseat. Squeezed between time and all the roles we are gifted and those we think we have to take on can keep us in the clutches auto pilot and a running list of transaction.

If you can relate or are in the thick of it right now...the next thing I am about to say might spark a little resistance.

Whether it feels like it or not... everyday is one lifetime.  A lifetime to make ourselves a priority, remembering we are number one or in Glennon Doyle's words live "like the goddamn chetah" we were created to be.

But the science of change tells us the hardest part of any of it is unlearning habitual patterns. 

So how do we make ourselves a priority in between all of the things.  It starts with what we are allowing, what we are saying yes to when we really want to say no.  And the no we sprinkle like confetti when we really want to say yes.

Take what you need today...

1. If you know you give, give, give until you hit the ground or become a little resentful... today allow yourself to receive one thing from another.  Instead of saying your usual my shout, this one is on me... when someone offers let the words thank you fall out of your mouth.  Accept the receiving with an inhale and exhale thank you - feel the thank you in every cell of your body and then proceed.

2. Never tell anyone you have free time, a day off or space.  Block it in your calendar as SFA day or SFA meeting or SFA conference.  I will let you work out what the SFA stands for or you might like to make up your own code.  This is the day you really prioritise you.

3. Ok so you might not be ready for a SFA day just yet... but you can spare 5 mins.  Stop reading this email right now and ask yourself the question - if I was prioritising myself right now what would I be doing?  Now if you, like me are sitting at the computer and have an online meeting in 15 mins - that might look like ensuring you have a freshly brewed pot of tea for your meeting on the ready, taking 5 minutes to take your computer and headphone (work) outside, it might be putting the joggers on and taking your meeting for a walk.  It might be simply creating a little breathing space before you set off on your next thing.

Whatever you decide catch your thoughts, emotions and words... if guilt creeps in keep up taking 5 minutes to prioritise you everyday.

Eventually, it will become a normalised part of your schedule, your routine and your family calendar.

Prioritising you is a gift that keeps giving and flowing.  Today is a good day to prioritise you and lead from within.

With Gratitude,

Kylie Bartlett