Last month’s #pauseforreflection on breaking our own rules prompted some of my clients (including some very senior executives I’ve been coaching for upward of 10 years) and I to unpack what ‘rules’ really are and how they impact our lives…positively and negatively. To this end, I gave some thought to some of the things that give my life a framework and something to work towards…my life GPS if you like:
1. Be you - do you
…so long as you are not engaging in harmful activities towards yourself or others. If people don't like it, they are not your tribe. Live authentically and be guided by your own values. Surround yourself with love and like-minded people. Quality over quantity. If you are working or living in a space contrary to this, exercise choice and make change…move on.
2. Don't act your - age is just a number
Do what's right for you. Don’t be defined by what others do and how they live constrained by the mental construct of ‘age’ - focus on your wellbeing and what you can do (not what you can’t). If you have a set back…reset.
3. Keep moving
Especially important as we age – engage in appropriate ways to exercise even when injured or unwell. And make sure you have fun and enjoy how you move otherwise it’s hard to sustain.
4. Eat well
…most of the time. Food is everything in terms of your wellbeing - it's about nurturing your body, respecting our health. Life’s stresses can mean we reach for less nourishing food. Think gut-mind connection. High stress periods are the time we most need to focus on eating well to sustain us and feed our gut the things it needs – that way our minds are better equipped to navigate life’s journey. (think mind/gut connection) Avoid processed food and alcohol as much as possible and make time to lovingly prepare your meals. Keep hydrated. It’s an investment in your future health.
5. Get out in nature
…as often as possible. This helps to reconnect with your joy and still the mind. It slows us, helps us retain perspective and reminds us to breath. Our ancient ancestors embraced the power of nature in regulating our own lives and connecting with universal truth.
6. Be kind and compassionate
…firstly to yourself so that you can be for others. Do no harm.
7. Work is work
The ego likes to be busy -keep it in check and don't lose perspective. Work is part of your life, not life itself. It’s not something that totally defines you unless it’s vocational. Work is a transactional activity that provides security and comfort – and that lifestyle you desire. If it also nourishes you with joy, social interaction, purpose and/or meaning it’s a bonus – first world issue! If not, consider your options, check what lifestyle you are sustaining, what is the cost/benefit of that job you are so beholden to and find joy and purpose in your personal life.
8. If you fail today, there's always tomorrow
Whether it’s a grand goal that you are working toward or a small endeavour, don’t let yesterday’ failure define today’s effort. Try again or pick up where you left off. As one of my ‘life-guides’ writes “The world rests at night. Trees, mountains, fields and faces are realised from the prison of shape and the burden of exposure… The dawn is a refreshing time, a time of possibility and promise…anew in the fresh dawn of light.” (John O’donohue)
9. Face reality head on
Don't use head in the sand tactics to not face up to reality. So many of us prolong the pain by not committing to change. Life will bring pain, suffering, separation and grief as well as happy times. Work at facing up to what is going on and act! Continue to find your joy, which is always available to you. Build neurological pathways to your joy by deliberately remembering happy and joyful events in your life – we all have a bank of at least a couple of things that bring a smile to our dials! It’s a whole lot more uplifting and less energy zapping than ruminating on more miserable times. Joy is always available within you. If you are having trouble with this – see lesson 5!
10. Surrender and let go!
Accept what you are responsible for. And be curious and let go of everything else. I estimate that about 90% of the time, we have little or no control over things – events, other’s behaviour/thoughts, the weather, workplace decisions from the top down, sometimes our own health, death, the economy… etc. This does not mean giving up, but rather, giving energy to those things you have agency or influence over.
So, ask yourself, Am I working towards being my best self with the choices I make?
As ever, the challenge - To truly understand that what we give out eventually comes back to us.
Until next time….Keep Shining,
Trish x
WORK WITH ME – Executive and Career Coach-Mentoring (or perhaps join one of my Yoga Classes).
Contact me today - trish@wisdominone.com.au or call (61) 411 626 549
I am the Principal of Wisdom in One. I have been working with and Coach-Mentoring Leaders for over 25 years. At Wisdom in One, our commitment is to a practical and holistic approach to achieving life balance for the mind, body, heart and soul; ensuring we take care of ourselves, each other and the world in order to create a better future for our children.
I not only believe but know that LEADERSHIP IS A RESPONSIBILITY AND IT IS SACRED.
By looking at and developing awareness about how we live, lead and work, we can create a powerful sense of 'knowing' and consciousness about what impact we have on our own lives, our health, others around us and our environment. By tapping into this wisdom, we can grow, change and live a fuller, richer life and make positive and enlightened contributions. Leaders have real-time impact on a community’s stability, sustainability and collective wellbeing. Therefore Leaders have a responsibility to their own wellbeing.
The challenge - To truly understand that what we give out eventually comes back to us.
visit my website: www.wisdominone.com.au
#pauseforreflection #wellbeingforleaders #yogawithtrish #transformyourwayofliving #wisdominone #coaching #careercoaching #leadership #mindset #kindleaders #positiveorganisations #wellbeing #kindness #performance #passion #purpose #positivepsychology #conversationsforchange #mindfulness #yoga
https://www.wisdominone.com.au/blogs
July 2025