How Do You Relax AND Make Progress?
You may have noticed there’s a day to celebrate everything now. Recently, it was national Relaxation Day. Did you miss it?
Honestly, I think it needs to be more often than annually… you?
Here in the land of work and life design, where peak performance meets peak personal fulfillment, relaxation is a part of how I guide clients to make progress.
Seems contrary, I know, but stay with me here.
In most areas of work and life, “done is better than perfect” – taking some action that can be improved upon later, is better than working out every single issue before making a move. Some things must be free of mistakes, but most of life is a matter of making them and taking corrective action, immediately or ongoing.
Moving forward, not staying stuck.
Similarly, designing work and a life that is filled with everything important to you is a matter of…
Progress Not Perfection
And progress is a matter of consistent action. Small steps will get you there. That’s right foot, left foot – no giant leaps required! (And that’s even true it you have a big aspiration ahead).
The question is, how best to be consistent about taking those steps – and which are the best small steps to take – to make faster progress in the direction of your dreams or goals?
(And just where does relaxation fit into all this?)
You can consider relaxation is part of your action! And you can figure out how all this works on your own, or you can have a guide. Here’s mine – it’s called the:
Cycle of Action Formula!
That’s it: Start ==> Work On It ==> Complete ==> Celebrate
Each goal or aspiration you set for yourself has this beginning, middle, and end. If you design each one effectively, and get the support you need, that “big thick middle” work-on-it part, is simpler, and easier to accomplish.
That accomplishment is completion.
However! This is where most people make a mistake, so let’s correct that right here.
Most people miss the last part: to CELEBRATE!
They just jump right on to the next task or goal. This is not helpful for two reasons:
- There is a part of you that was waiting for that “atta Girl” or “atta Boy” – recognition or praise for getting it done! It’s better not to wait for that to come from the outside – rather, to give it to yourself with some sort of reward to mark the occasion. It is the sort of thing your spirit needs to keep going with the work ahead, which can feel like drudgery if the celebration is always “out there” and never comes. (Yet another reason to not wait for someone else to give it to you…)
- Celebration can include a bit of relaxation, or at least diversion from the task.
That diversion – time for yourself, a massage, a nap (!), an enjoyable meal, some exercise, or whatever else makes you feel good – is the “pause for the cause” that keeps you going.
This is especially important in “change” situations. Because change is not an event, it is a journey – a transition. Completion of some part of the change you seek, whether in career or some lifestyle change, may not be the ultimate end goal, but one of the steps toward getting there.
Failing to celebrate your progress along that transition, and get rejuvenated for the next part, can make it mighty hard to keep going sometimes.
Most people give up and never get where they TRULY want to go.
Don’t let that be you!
Part of the journey may be figuring out just where it is you want to go… Once that is clear, the steps to getting there start to reveal themselves. Then you have to take them.
So start, work on the best next move, complete that. And celebrate – and actually relax, knowing not only are you making progress, but that you have the formula to continue forward.
You CAN be, do, and have everything important to you. Getting help can accelerate that.
That’s what I do. I love seeing your progress, and helping you see what seems ‘fuzzy’ to you. We all have those blindspots… having someone else to consult to get clear along the way allows you to get where you want to go faster and easier than you would on your own.
So carry on ~ And remember to relax on a regular basis!
About Dolly
Dolly Garlo, is a professional coach with multiple specialty certifications, and a background in healthcare, law and business. She works with professionals, small business owners, and senior executives in business and government service when they are ready for a change of direction in both work and life. Typically this occurs at mid-career, when anticipating early or full financial retirement, following a significant life event or sometimes just because the career ladder is leaning up against the wrong wall. When it’s time to make that move with clarity, confidence and support - to fulfill greater aspirations for more inspired living, purposeful work, confident leadership and even meaningful legacy… it’s time for a Masterful Life Redesign!
Learn more with my free guide, the Masterful Life Redesign Roadmap – get it here: Masterful Life Redesign Roadmap
Or, identify your best next move forward by applying for a New Directions Discovery Session
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