Are YOU your top priority?
Hmmmm, how do you make you your top priority?
How many times have you said ABSOLUTELY as the response to this question because you know it is the right answer? How many times have endless thoughts danced in your head to then give you pause in taking those moments you need?
Likely this has happened to you once or twice. How do I know? Because I have had this happen to me as well. I have been there when little voices rouse up feelings of guilt, as if there is no time, or thoughts that you don't need to take your moments right now because you are doing just fine on your own. Far too often, as women, we don't take the necessary moments to PAUSE and renew ourselves.
Self-focus, self-doubt, self-sabotage, & self-limiting beliefs can knock us down and hold us hostage each day. The drive is knowing that we are better than the little voices in our heads. We are powerful, we are smart, we are warriors, we are determined. Even Wonder Woman pauses to simply be :) In the normal hustle and bustle, busy women like us can begin to renew ourselves by creating time in our schedules, shifting our mindsets, and knowing that taking care of us means that we are better able to take care of others. Here are a few tidbits on how to consistently renew you - one step at a time.
7 Steps to Renewing You.
1. Take Moments to BREATHE
To really breathe. Solitary deep breaths in of knowing you are enough, of positive energy, of your worthiness, of your commitment to greatness in your day. Deep breaths out of toxic energy, negativity, self-limiting beliefs, and of doubt.
2. Lean on FAITH & MEDITATION
To have a greater purpose beyond yourself and a faith that holds you up is a rock that is unshakable. Lean on it for strength and guidance as you move throughout your journey.
3. AFFIRM Yourself Daily
Address yourself in the mirror daily to profess what you will do and be within your day. Continue until this routine is missed if you momentarily forget.
4. Visualize Your GOAL
Get your goals on paper so that you can see it daily.
5. Identify Your SUPPORT SYSTEM
Occupy your space with people who will hold you up during your journey.
6. Communicate your LEAP PLAN
To leap is to know that there is a world of unknown awaiting for you.
7. COMMIT
Just do it! You got this!
RENEW yourself for the greatness that lies ahead.
Remember you are stronger and smarter than you may give yourself credit for.
Expose yourself to new experiences & be amazed at how your strengths propel you to soar.
Nourish your mind with positive energy & affirmations each day.
Execute your work with excellence, pride, & with everything you are proud to attach to your name.
Wish the same upon those who support you, then with your leadership, they will do the same.
Consider renewing YOU at an upcoming Women's Weekend Renewal & Training Retreat to reset right before the holidays. You will enjoy 11 other phenomenal women, at a serene location, private chef, workshops, mindfulness, and much more.
Lolita E. Walker is a change champion, speaker, and workshop facilitator at the forefront of a movement to help women shift their mindsets and take back moments for themselves. These moments translate to more productive, creative, and decisive individuals, who embrace change at the onset, act with clarity and confidence, and thrive, as they surpass their desired results. She moves powerful women into their own personal greatness to thrive in work, home, and life. Within the disruption, discomfort, fear, and doubts of change, are triumphs, successes, and wins. Lolita's brings those out of all of her clients. Her services range from creating personalized daily affirmations, to retreats, speaking, and coaching, to name a few.
Extend your "Holiday" Season Year Round
8 tips to help your holidays last year round!
As you wind down the year and reflect on your past days with family, friends, and self, it is far too easy to immediately jump back into the hustle and bustle of everyday life, without truly capturing (and appreciating) your moments.
For some, the season brings laughs and fond memories. For others, it brings a bit of sadness and sorrow. Despite which you identify, we can agree that ‘tis the HOLIDAY season. Great news is that Mr. New Year brings a second look at EVERYTHING. He brings opportunities to start afresh and rejuvenated for the newness ahead. He brings the chance to forge a plan built upon the lessons of the past year. It is time for you to embrace what is ahead. Here’s to keeping your personal HOLIDAYS going for the entire new year!
· Hope
Believe in yourself! Believe in your faith! Believe that you are your biggest cheerleader! Affirm yourself daily to make possible the greatness that is to come. Use affirmatives of I am, I will, I can and make your best happen daily!
· Order
Order your steps. Though we believe (including myself) that we are masters at multi-tasking, the reality is that it keeps us unfocused and unproductive. Try to avoid moving from task to task, by pouring 100% into completion of one at a time. It will ease your mind, order your steps, increase your productivity, and ensure completion.
· Love
Pour love into everything that you do! Your work is a reflection of you and therefore should represent that greatness that you are.
· Introspective
Before you can properly manage, coach, direct, or help others, you must first dig deep within. Are you where you need to be physically, mentally, and emotionally? Do you have a plan already in motion to ensure you reach those goals? Leading others begins with taking leadership of you.
· Discovery
There is nothing more powerful than self-discovery! Listen to that little voice that tells you to push beyond where you are. Discover your strengths and use them to master the tasks right in front of you.
· Acknowledgement
Acknowledge that you are a work in progress. Continuously improve yourself, your processes, your systems, and your routines.
· YOU
You are your most important gift. You are your most important investment. Take care of you first, so that you can effectively take care of others. Take advantage of one of the last 3 spots for the upcoming women's renewal retreat! A perfect opportunity to invest in you!
· Simplicity
Keep It Super Simple! Simply, BE FREE! The rest will fall into place. Start each morning with a meditation, a prayer, soothing music, or whatever alternative centers you. Affirm your day through gratitude! This sets the tone for the productivity, selflessness, and greatness of your day.
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7 Stops to Renewal!
What does Renewal mean to you? Here’s 7 considerations for renewing you.
As we prepare to close 2017, and leap into the greatness of 2018, please consider 7 stops along your journey to Renewal.
Stop 1: “BE FREE” Boulevard
Believe in your strengths and open your mind to now explore. Check your fears at the door and get ready to leap to the unknown. Your strengths, values, and experiences will be the net that catches and holds you up.
Stop 2: “Articulation” Avenue
There is power in claiming your desired state. Speaking it aloud builds internal ownership and is your guide to unmasking and conquering fears.
Stop 3: “Plan-It” Parkway
Verbalizing is an aspect of articulation. Documenting a plan is another. When you commit to physically creating a plan, be specific. Lolita E. Walker, Personal & Organizational Change Management Consultant, emphasizes that the more specific you are, the greater the outcome is for achieving your goals. Consider who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Stop 4: “Food” Freeway
Get off at the Food Freeway to Mindful Eating. According to Karima Roepel, Hospitality & Culinary Educator, and Founder of Ambrosia Food Group, LLC. it is important to eat foods that ground you in reality. Particularly during the winter season, grounding, rooted foods, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and radishes help maintain balance and spark wise decision-making. Sip heated drinks that include warming spices such as cinnamon, cloves, garlic, ginger, nutmeg, and cumin. Visit @ambrosiakitchen on Instagram for tips & yummy recipes.
Stop 5: “Coping” Cul-de-sac
Dr. Safiyyah Rahman, Private Practice Psychiatrist, reminds us that road blocks are everywhere and sometimes they can unconsciously come from within. Do not get caught in a dead end. Spend time being introspective and identify those areas in need. Especially pay attention to your mental health as this is, far too often, unaddressed.
Stop 6: “Unleash the Renewed You” Row.
Embracing change is not singular! When you begin the process of rejuvenating your mind, body, and soul, you are on your way to unleashing the “new you.” On this row, are those who are depending on you for success along your journey. Embracing and empowering them will fuel your continued strength.
Stop 7: “Invest in You” Intersection
The intersection of You and Change is the investment in yourself. Change begins with you and it is essential that you invest in its foundation. Invest in a massage, take unplanned time off to spend with your friends and family, indulge in a golf or movie day, find a …..Renewal Retreat!
