Rule #6 – Celebrate Successes
Celebrate Successes
A few years back I took a coaching program from Peak Potentials called Successtracs. The SuccessTracs Coaching Program was a system designed to help you get the results you want in your life.
One of the first things that I had to learn, yes learn, was to celebrate successes. Now when I first heard this I thought they had to be big successes like writing a book, doubling my income, etc. That was not at all what they meant.
Celebrating successes meant celebrating all the little things as well. Here is an example with exercising. The first success you celebrate is when you actually put on your running shoes. The next success is going out the door to actually run or walk. The next success is walking or running a mile. You get the picture now don’t you?
When you celebrate all your successes it motivates you to keep moving forward. For each accomplishment you’ve made through the day, write it down. You would be surprised at the amount of successes you have in a day and how good it makes your feel.
In this fast paced world that we live in we have been conditioned that we need big successes in life in order to celebrate our successes. That is simply not true.
The next way that I learnt how to celebrate my successes was by taking Freedom Days. Most entrepreneurs work too hard.
Have you ever worked too much, too hard, too long? If so, you have probably experienced the way your mental edge and focus decline when you fail to take time off.
Many entrepreneurs continue slogging ahead anyway, becoming less and less effective. Failing to take time off burns you out and hinders your business success.
Taking time to renew yourself is vital. It enables your to have a clear mind, be creative in your work, and come up with fresh new ideas.
Working excessively hard also puts life out of balance. Most entrepreneurs expect that they will have more flexibility and free time when they are self-employed. While this is possible, the painful reality is that it will only happen if you train yourself to set boundaries around your work.
Freedom Days provide a structure that can help you increase the balance and enjoyment in your life. A Freedom Day is a free day – 24 hours from midnight to midnight – when you do not do any work-related activities. That means no business calls, no checking emails, no problem solving or planning, no phone conferences, no teleconferencing.
These days are for rejuvenation – an opportunity for you to recharge your batteries so you can be as productive and creative as possible when you are working.
I have to admit that I found this extremely hard at first as I was a workaholic at the time. It has taken me years to implement this strategy however I can tell you with all honesty that it was worth it. I am much more productive now.
However one of the challenges I had was I didn’t know what to do with myself when I wasn’t working. I had become a human doing rather than a human being.
Here is a neat way to apply the 80/20 rule to your free time. The best way to have great Freedom Days is to spend them doing the 20% of activities that bring you the greatest amount of rejuvenation and pleasure.
Hints For Maximizing Freedom Days
- Mark them in your calendar – the best way to ensure you take the time off is to block off freedom days in your calendar 2- 3 weeks ahead, and then discipline yourself to follow through with your intention.
- Plan activities in advance – Decide in advance what you would like to do on your freedom days. It is easier to make these days a priority if you have plans to spend them in a fun way.
- Protect your time strategically – be strategic. Ask your team and clients not to call you. Send them your schedule of freedom days so that your team or clients know when your not available.
- Try taking a freedom day mid-week – Many results-based income earners find it very challenging to take a freedom day on a weekday. Generally you will find that the quality and character of a mid-week day is quite different than a free day taken on a week-end. Make it a habit to schedule some freedom days mid-week for a greater experience of freedom and rejuvenation.
- Take a vacation – Plan to take at least 4 – 6 weeks of vacation per year. If that sounds impossible, keep the following in mind:
- The purpose of your work is to support the lifestyle you want, not the other way around. You never know when you life may end – make sure you live it fully.
- Many entrepreneurs who take several months of vacation each year report that their earnings are not negatively affected – in most cases they actually earn more.
- Schedule your vacations up to a year in advance and protect those commitments at all costs. One way to do this is to book non-refundable holidays so that you feel obligated to follow through.
Choosing Your Top Freedom Days
Start by making a list of activities or features of a freedom day that would rejuvenate you or bring you joy. Such as having a nap, taking a walk, reading a good book (not a business book), go for a massage, take time for yourself to do the things you love, go for a round of gold, watch a movie. Stretch yourself by putting some outrageous activities – things you would enjoy but not normally do – on your list.
If you would like to learn more about the SuccessTracs Program Click Here!
I hope you enjoyed this article as much as I did writing it. I would love to know about your successes, even your little ones.
To Your Success!
Monique Schlosser/Hrebeniuk
P.S. If you would like to know more about all the peak potential courses go to: http://www.millionairemind.com
