BODY, MIND & SPIRIT
This post has NOTHING to do with finding a job, updating your resume, creating the perfect LinkedIn profile or how to network with people you don’t know ……………..because none of that matters if you don’t take care of YOU first. I am a strong believer in attending to your physical, mental and spiritual needs to get the most out of life – and succeed in whatever path you choose. After 50+ years I feel like I’ve found a good balance of all three areas and effective ways to nurture each one of them to get the most out of life. Below is my “short list of to do’s” in each area to help make it a priority to provide the proper care and feeding that will yield positive results. Please note: almost ALL of these tips/suggestions aren’t original – they were accumulated from subject matter experts I’ve encountered at the gym, in magazines, and online. Also, almost all can be summarized with two simple words ………….common sense.
So, for whatever it’s worth, here’s my Body, Mind and Spirit to do list …
BODY
- Get at least 7 hours of sleep every night
- Exercise vigorously at least 5 times/week for at least an hour (I personally prefer to get my workout in first thing in the morning to start my day – which helps me attack the day with a clear head, deal better with stress, have more energy, etc. etc.) My preferred workout providers;
- Alcohol – instead of giving it up – which I know would be the healthiest decision – I try to keep drinking to the weekends only – no drinking during the week. Sometimes I can actually keep this goal and I feel better for most of the week ……
- Diet – replace as many carbs with protein-rich food as you can. Choose low-fat, high-protein options whenever you can. Reduce/eliminate sweets – eliminate the sugar high/come downs.
- Discover your genetic profile – and the corresponding suggestions for exercise, diet, lifestyle based on your personal profile (requires a DNA sample). It’s really revealing and explains why some things are due to nature vs. nurture and how you can counteract any of the genetic challenges you may be faced with : fitnessgenes website
- Take daily multi-vitamins, fish oil, prostate health pill, etc. See GNC Mega Men 50+
MIND
- Become a “life-long learner”
- Take courses – get certified. I’ve obtained the following certifications – all included on my LinkedIn Profile – in the last 24 months:
- Marketing Foundations – Pragmatic Marketing
- Scrum Master – scrum.org
- Agile Marketing – IC Agile
- Prof G Strategist – Section4
- Prof G Brand Strategist – Section4
- Read for pleasure and for professional development
- Do crossword puzzles (as the son of two parents afflicted with Alzheizmers, I am aware of the need to challenge an aging brain) NOTE: my wife would disagree as it has become somewhat of an obsession ……
- Podcasts – my new guilty pleasure. I listen for ALL of the following reasons: professional development, entertainment, spiritual fulfillment
SPIRIT
- I’ve recently become an avid follower and consumer of information from Ryan Holiday – author, lecturer, podcaster, philosopher known for the “Daily Stoic”. I’ve found the Stoic principles of Courage, Justice, Wisdom and Temperance to serve me very well in my Midlife Reinvention and with life in general. Check him out!
- Nature – get outdoors any way you can. From a simple walk in the neighborhood to camping in a national forest. Nothing grounds you like turning off the screens and walking through the woods, swimming in a lake, or climbing a mountain. I recently joined the Board of a local Nature Conservancy and I am thrilled to contribute to its mission:
- To support conservation through education that awakens curiosity, engages the body, and explores connections to nature for all generations.
APPLIED TO A MID-LIFE REINVENTION
In sum – for anyone tackling a Mid-life Reinvention it’s important to take the holistic approach of tending to the Body, Mind & Spirit instead of focusing solely on their professional situation. In fact, without a focus on your mental, physical and spiritual health prior to taking on the challenges of finding a new job or starting a business it will be like running a marathon without any training, food or water. Get your body, mind and spirit in the best shape they can be so that you are ready for the challenges and stress that come along with the hope of reinvention.
#reinventU
