Too many of us stay busy doing things that don’t really matter. We live in a self-created vortex of tasks and work, rarely pausing to consider:
Is this necessary?
Is it working?
Is it improving my life?
Is the return on this worth the time and energy it requires?
I read something the other day that I’m certain will improve my relationships, my work-life and my health. Not surprisingly, it wasn’t about relationships or health; it was about real estate.
When rennovating homes, most people spend money where it doesn’t need to be spent. They aren’t disciplined in how they deploy their funds. To counteract this tendency, they’re taught to break down potential home improvements into the following categories:
Necessary and increases value
Unnecessary and increases value
Necessary and does not increase value
Unnecessary and does not increase value
In today’s episode of the podcast, we’re talking about the application of this practice to our task lists, our communication and our goals.
Looking for that Breaking Barriers coupon code? Use the code katie to take $50 off until the new course launches.
In October 2019, our relationship with Thrive Market changed. They decided to put their marketing dollars in avenues outside of podcasting but we still think they’re a good choice if you’re looking to save money on health & personal care products.
For years, I’ve been a huge fan of the Detroit-based watch maker Shinola. When their recent product magazine came out, my friend sent me a picture of one of the ads. It’s perfect.
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While yes, this is a product ad, it could also be a prescription for an amazing life.
In a world that’s rushing, we stand for something different.
I love this. Part of my personal practice is not using the word busy. I remind myself that there is always enough time and I choose how I use my time and what I prioritize.
Our lives can be crafted, just like our products, with intention.
We can choose to be intentional in how we craft our lives. With intention, we can create a career we love, we can make time for the things that matter. Drifting is not intentional. Going through the motions is not intentional. A life you love is possible and can be crafted, like a product, carefully.
It’s about making time for the things that make you happy.
What makes you happy? First, get clear on that. Then, priortize it’s presence in your life! Regularly!
Investing in the things that are important.
Investing doesn’t mean recognizing. It doesn’t mean complaining, disregarding or taking for granted. Invest your energy in what’s important. Invest your time. Invest your money.
It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it.
Check your attitude, my friend. Show up joyfully. Travel light. Be a creative, energetic problem solver.
In a world that’s rushing, we stand for something different.
Yes, there are moments (many millions of moments) when change feels very, very hard. I know. I feel it too. But I need you to know: that’s just a feeling and you can change it. You can make change easier. You can make it easier right now.
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If change feels hard, it’s because you’re talking yourself into what makes it hard. You’re convincing yourself it’s hard. You’ve taken that perspective and continue to build a case for it being hard.
To make that case, you think about your past failures. You focus on all the temptations you must resist. You consider how far you have to go and all the work required to move from where you are to where you want to be.
From that perspective, it definitely appears to be hard!
What that perspective overlooks is the irrefutable fact that change happens one choice at a time. The only time it’s possible to make a choice is in the present moment. You can’t change yesterday’s choices or take action on something in the future. The past and the future have nothing to do with creating change – they can only distract, frustrate and overwhelm you.
One choice at a time.
That’s how change happens.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed or you’re convincing yourself that change feels hard, I want you to shift your attention to this very simple redirect:
Do I have one good choice in me?
What is it?
What’s my next great choice?
What am I able and willing to do today to make progress?
Keep it simple.
Stop convincing yourself that change is hard and start focusing on one small choice you can make now or next.
You are always just a few great choices away from feeling better and all you have to do is execute one at a time.
The Primal Potential podcast is your podcast. This show is your show. It’s not a platform for me to talk about things I think are important – it’s a platform for me to help you help yourself. That’s why today is a listener Q&A on all things success and progress!
Over on Instagram, I asked what you want to hear about and the questions came pouring in! Today we’re talking about everything from staying motivated after progress, if dairy can included in a fat loss friendly way of eating, morning routines, hormones, sex and more!
If you have questions that I didn’t address on the episode, I want to hear them! Either DM me on Instagram, send me an email or leave a comment here on the show notes page!
Fabletics! You asked about some of my favorite looks from Fabletics and I’ve shared them on today’s episode! If you want to give Fabletics a try or stock up on amazing holiday gifts for the fitness enthusiast in your life, register through fabletics.com/primalpotential to take advantage of their 2 for $24 deal!
For more on dairy and fat loss, check out episodes 025 and 128
For more on morning routines, take a listen to episode 099
If you’re looking to learn more about hormones, start with episodes 011 through 014
New England, where I was born and raised, is known throughout the world for it’s brilliant fall foliage. In fact, I’m planning to make some time this week to go for a drive and appreciate how incredible it is.
photo cred: Day Tripper Tours
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Fall has always been my favorite season. I love the cooler temperatures before the cold rolls in. I love football season. As a kid, fall meant apple picking, hay rides and cider donuts. Just thinking about it makes me happy.
A few years ago, I heard a quote from Tiny Buddha that made me love fall even more.
Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.
The beauty of the leaves turning precedes them dying. Falling. These trees are most beautiful before they are bare. It’s not sad, it’s amazing. And, of course, they return.
I can’t see the vibrant colors on the trees without thinking of that powerful reminder: it can be absolutely beautiful to let things go.
A few days ago, my friend took a road trip to see the leaves changing in New Hampshire. I sent her a voice note to share that quote I love and also to read a passage from The Book of Awakening. I’ll share part of it it with you, too!
I envy the tree, how it reaches but never holds. We can’t stop life from flowing. So we are left with feeling what was and what is, and we call the difference loss. But all the clinging and holding only makes it worse.
Isn’t that gorgeous? What might it look like, in your life, to reach but not hold? What would it look like to acknowledge the change, like the leaves, but not see it as loss? What do you need to let go of?
I talked about this in episode 526 of the podcast. You can go through change and still be happy. Wanting things to be different doesn’t mean you have to be unhappy with the way things are.
Change doesn’t have to mean loss.
Loss doesn’t mean things are worse. If you’re open, they’ll almost certainly get better.
