It is almost February. Did you make any New Years resolutions? Are you sticking to it?
A lawyer I coached several years ago made a point at the beginning of our second coaching session. He said:
Cordell, I get it. You are not trying to get us to go on a crash diet of activities. You are trying to get us to make lifestyle changes.
He was exactly right. If you are a regular reader, I am not trying to get you to just make a flurry of activities to be more successful. Instead, I hope through my blog to help you make lifestyle changes. I meet many lawyers who are striving to be successful and to enjoy their careers. For 2013, I have 10 lifestyle changes for you to consider.
- Take responsibility for your career and life.
- Determine the priorities in your life and plan each week around those priorities (e.g. family, health, spiritual, work).
- Exercise for at least 30 minutes 3-5 days a week.
- Eat dinner at home with your family at least __ nights a week.
- Get up from your computer once an hour and, if nothing else, just walk down the hall and back.
- Take time during the lunch hour to get outside. Do not eat at your computer.
- Focus on things you can control rather than worrying about things you cannot control.
- Be a “glass half full” person rather than a “glass half empty” person.
- Begin building your career based on your major definite purpose (the intersection of your talent, passion and client needs).
- Turn off your smartphone when you are in meetings, listening to presentations or when you are doing things with your family.
To better understand the lifestyle changes outlined above read these three books and after each chapter write down how you will apply what you read:
- The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz – this book will teach you to manage your energy.
- First Things First by Stephen Covey, A. Roger Merrill, and Rebecca R. Merrill – this book will teach you to manage time based on your priorities.
- Getting Things Done by David Allen – this book will help you reduce stress by getting better organized.