Weekly Question and Answer - Want vs. Need

Client's Question:

Hi Ned,

Right now I’m concerned that I’m trying to do much. There are some things that I WANT(i.e. prepare for a fitness competition, rest) to do for myself and there are things I feel I NEED to do for my business(enter email addresses, blog). I feel like I’m having a hard time balancing. Do you have any suggestions for how to cope with wanting to do EVERYTHING or taking time to focus?

Thanks,

Stacie
Healthy Diva
http://www.fit2befab.com

Dear Stacie - You have some great questions.

Trying to do everything
First and foremost when clients mention to me that they want more balance.
We must figure out where you are not achieving balance physically and emotionally.
If in your mind you have so many things you are trying to accomplish you will become very overwhelmed and achieve none of it. Physically if you are exhausted because you are doing so many things then getting rest will rejuvenate you.

Wether you need to rest for a weekend in your pj's do so. If you need to just start going to bed early then incorporate that into your daily activity.
You do not want to reach a place of burn out because you are trying to accomplish so many things. So if sleeping in over the weekend and laying around would do you some good. Do it. You will become much more rejuvenated and able to work on what you are trying to accomplish.

Number 2:
Anytime you are going through changing directions in your life/career it is so important to remain focused.

Here are 2 ways you can do that.

1) Choose what I call 3 Pillars of Priority
and write them down Example: yours may be broken down in these 3 areas below.

Pillar One
Fitness

Pillar two
My business
add email addresses
blog

Pillar 3
You

When you list out 3 priorities that are your pillars you are saying these are my areas of focus.
Now you can begin listing small tasks under each area.

In order to remain focused you want to take the area of your life that you are least satisfied with and start there. So if becoming balanced and rested is a priority then you know that is under Pillar 3 (you as the priority) and you know when you feel out of balances that is Non Negotiable time and it is the most important pillar for you. Everything else can wait.

2) Slow is the new fast
Slow and steady creates long term results.
So although you want to make changes to your current business by adding for example email addressees. Take it in strides -add people slowly, no need to feel like all that has to be done now and all at once. Super stressful - so when you find yourself in that spot -take small steps to action. Small steps are defined as small action steps that feel achievable and not exhausting.

Blog if you want to, blog if you feel like it, blog when you really have something to share NOT because you really feel you have to. That gives off such frustrating energy and feels forced -you want to do this when you are in a place of feeling good. Don't worry about forcing yourself to blog so many times a month that you get burnt out. You want a quality blog.
An example of a small step would be to create a list of things you enjoy talking about and write when you feel inspired. You will be coming from a totally different space and energy. Your clients and prospects that read your blog will feel the difference.

Client's Response:

Dear Ned:
I like the “slow is the new fast”. It reminds me that in a “right now” society that I don’t have to conform all the time. Also, that if I am going to be beneficial to myself or others that it is a MUST sometimes because our bodies and brains are like machines and they aren’t always in overdrive so we shouldn’t either; we need to re-fuel, let the mechanisms rest and cool down, give attention to maintenance or we risk a blow-out, breakdown. If I breakdown then I’m no good to anybody or to my aim/purpose.