Timing and self-compassion can help you make the MO’st of your life MO’ments. I have been inspired to take some time to reflect on the power of timing. Timing is critical if we want to be our best and it becomes especially noticeable in the autumn months with the change of seasons and the leaves, which are turning colour and starting to fall. There is a timing to the seasons and there are seasons in our lives and careers which we must MO’ve through.
My MO’tivation for this post comes from a LinkedIn post I read recently by Richard Branson, founder of Virgin. This article answers a question about knowing when to go full throttle and when to slow down in your career. I have provided my reflections on Richard’s key message below but would encourage you to also read the full article.
Of the first scenario, when to slow down, Richard says: “If you’re starting to feel like you’re just going through the motions and losing sight of why you started, it might be time to take a break, collect your thoughts, get some rest, and reassess your strategy.” If we are exhausted and over-whelmed, we will not have the mental, physical or emotional capacity to embrace new opportunities, show up as our best-selves and MO’ve closer towards our goals and aspirations. I always find that during this phase of slowing down it is important to “look up” (i.e., reach out) for help, guidance, support, or coaching to ensure your professional and personal well-being as well reflect on your own self-care. Look and listen within and follow the “inside out” approach and practice different types of self-care by honouring your feelings, taking care of your physical body, practicing mental self-care and again, connecting you’re your community and support networks. Attention to self-care is critical to getting you from burnout to back on top and ready to go full speed ahead.
On the other side of the equation, if you are just starting out, feeling ready, inspired and energized to put the pedal to the metal it is important to “look down” (i.e., reach below) and lift others and bring them along with you (i.e., be the leader/pathfinder and show them the way), especially when you are clear on your vision forward. It’s important to not go alone. One of my favourite sayings speaks to this: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. This is a powerful reminder of the important role we have in each other and in each other’s lives. Everyone has the potential to be a role model for someone else. Working together and sharing our stories and successes with one another will be of great advantage. You have skills and expertise that no one else has and when you discover your unique strengths it is so important and both personally and professionally fulfilling to share them with as many people as you can. Sharing will only make you and everyone else stronger. While charging full steam ahead when we are ready is an exciting time, it is important to still look and listen within and remember to continue taking an “inside out approach” to self-care in here too or else risk getting burnt out again very quickly.
Be grateful for both these phases in your life and carer. They are equally important and co-exist, rely upon and balance each other. Do not judge yourself too harshly if you are in the slowdown phase – you will not be left behind. Remember, your journey is unique to you, and you need to look and listen within to know where you need to be. This is what it means to be “in sync” and what was the key message of Richard’s article. This will help you focus on what matters MO’st.
On a final note, being able to anticipate what comes next and “staying ahead of the curve” is crucial to your success in work and life. Reflect on past experiences and learnings and continue educating yourself and seeking opportunities to learn and stay in the know on what’s current are both necessary to help you know and determine when to go and when to pull back. If you are looking for some MO’tivation for your personal development and to gain insights into what is up and coming in the fitness industry, I invite you to join me at the canfitpro Business & Leadership event in November!
How are you feeling? How are you using your time? Which phase do you need to embrace and focus on right now so you can MO’ve forward?
