Each day, quarter and year brings with it its own struggles and successes. It is easy in the hustle and bustle of it all to become overwhelmed and start letting your mind get out ahead of you. As a Christian, I often seek scripture as a source of guidance on various topics. One of my favorite scriptures, Matthew 6:4 states: “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
No matter what spiritual path you take, there is a certain amount of wisdom found in those words. The passage isn’t saying to just toss preparation out the window and fly by the seat of your pants. Instead, it suggests to us that worry is a waste of energy.
There is no amount of worry that will ensure your success. In fact, research shows that excessive worrying can contribute to a host of mental and physical issues such as anxiety, headaches, muscle tension and nausea, just to name a few.
However, one good way to leave worry behind is to simply live in the moment. When is the last time you took a few minutes in the day just to reflect? I understand fully that taking a break is a lot easier said than done, but it is incredibly important that we take time to savor every high and low point. It would be a shame to look back at the end of 2017 as just one big blur.
My hope for you, and for myself, is that in 2017 we live more and worry less. Here are a few tips I’ve found to be helpful in achieving this:
Adjust your perspective
One of the most significant things I’ve heard lately is the phrase, “Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at will change.” I’ve found this to be true not only in my personal life, but also in business. Oftentimes, we can become so fixated on the details of a project or situation that we fail to see the big picture. These little things can keep us bogged down and make us feel as if our current state is a lot more dismal than it really is. Do yourself a favor and step away from whatever it is that’s capturing your attention, and come back to it later with a fresh set of eyes. You may be surprised at what you see!
Use the magical two-letter word
It is OK to say no. You don’t owe any explanations for declining offers or deciding not to do something. Many of our worries come from things that are external. Once your priorities and focus points are established, make it a point to weigh these “offers” against what is important to you. If it doesn’t pass the test, feel free to simply say no.
Write what you’re feeling
Journaling is a wonderful tool for self-care and reflection. Challenge yourself to make this a weekly, or even a daily, practice. Grab a fresh notebook and record your thoughts about what has happened throughout the day. Sometimes getting things out of your head and onto paper is the simplest way to release some undue stress.
On another note, I would like to congratulate each of our 2017 Champions of Diversity award recipients. 2017 makes our 12th annual COD, and each year, I am thrilled and honored to recognize some of our state’s true gems. This year, not unlike others, features a group of men and women who have used their time, talent and treasure to positively influence the lives of others and create opportunities for people who might otherwise be left out due to their gender, ethnicity, physical abilities or sexuality. It is important that each of us do what we can in our own spheres of influence to keep up the fight for diversity and inclusion.
