Take a moment to think about your life and how you treat yourself as you go through your moments, days, weeks, and months.
One of the things we want you to remember is that
the way you live your moments is the way you live your life.
Your moments matter and if you’re going to matter in your own life, it’s important that you pay attention to your moments.
What we know, from our five years doing the Monday Morning Business Coach, is that you matter in this world. You matter because you are:
- Executives committed to building businesses that are good for customers, employees, and communities.
- Servers helping people enjoy a meal.
- Students committed to learning and contributing to the world.
- Managers trying to create a great environment for success.
- Moms trying to balance caring for your family and succeeding in your job.
- Sons passionate about making a difference in the world.
- Firefighters putting yourself at risk every day.
- Consultants passionate about helping clients grow.
- Dads committed to being a presence in your children’s lives.
- Daughters leading research on cancer.
- Therapists supporting people as they heal from pain and trauma.
- CEOs leading people into their future.
- Individuals trying to stay healthy and energized in the face of overwhelming demands.
- Nurses, business owners, union organizers, community leaders, staff, leaders with the title, and leaders as a way of life. You are clergy, designers, entrepreneurs, and bus drivers.
You matter because when you
lean in to make a difference in the world,
we are all better for it.
The world needs you.
So, we need you to matter to yourself. To respect who you are and where you are right now—even if your goal is to be somewhere else in your life. To honor the contribution you make while committing to doing things to get you to new opportunities to do more. To respect your need for rest, silence, connection, and love.
Your family & friends need you.
So, this week pay attention to treating yourself like you matter in this world, because we know you do.
- When you’re successful, acknowledge it to yourself.
And when you feel afraid, lonely, unsettled, or stupid—acknowledge that too. And acknowledge it with the gentleness you would offer someone you love deeply.
Hold yourself in high regard and say to yourself, “I can see that you’re afraid or feel stupid and I’m sorry. It’s hard. And, you matter. You will move through this.” - Take care of your basic needs.
Pay attention to your hunger and thirst. Go to the bathroom when you need to go to the bathroom (seriously). Slow your pace and breathe as you walk down the hall.
It’s truly stunning the number of people who ignore their basic needs throughout the day. If you matter, your needs matter. - Get a notebook, use your phone, tear off a few scraps of paper, and on and off throughout the day write down the things you’re doing well.
The things you are proud of. The things you didn’t think you’d do but did. They don’t have to be big or in anyway meaningful to anyone else.
For us, they are sometimes getting out of bed after a crazy, personally challenging week, not snapping at a colleague who pushes our buttons, or staying present in a meeting that was tedious and boring. Notice yourself and what you do well. - Look for small ways to give yourself a treat—just because.
Not a reward but a treat for being in this life and mattering in this life.
A few minutes on a deck overlooking a river near your office, 5 minutes to taste that latte you just bought, listening to the birds, noticing the clouds, laughing with a coworker, hugging your partner or kids just a bit longer. - Find ways to laugh.
With others would be best, but if that’s not possible, watch a Saturday Night Live routine that always makes you laugh (we love this one), watch a show that’s funny and charming, join a group that plays well together, create a game night with friends.
When you laugh, you remember yourself and can gain perspective. You matter enough in that moment to soften.
You need you.
This week, we want to help remind you to matter to yourself so that next week you can start to think about your year and how it’s gone and then, how you—mattering to yourself—are going to create a year next year that you are proud of.
Let us know how it goes.
Your Coaches and Allies at Carpenter Smith Consulting
If you’re ready to get started on making the new year your year, click to learn more about how we can support you with our services.