One night, we fell asleep after midnight. I awoke at 4:45, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to go for the day, and within seconds, an idea popped into my head. I immediately got out of bed and wrote this down: S.H.I.F.T.
These are some of the things I have been learning about, which have helped me to deal and cope with the pain, suffering, and stress in my life. Putting all of my focus into these things has entirely redirected all of my focus, intensity, attention, and energy, from negative, destructive, addictive patterns, beliefs, perspectives, practices, and behaviors, to creating highly valuable, beneficial habits, perspectives and practices, and a daily routine which has enriched and optimized my life IMMENSELY.
IF YOU WIN THE MORNING, YOU WIN THE ENTIRE DAY.
IT’S ALL ABOUT MOMENTUM.
What is the importance of habits and an easy-to-follow daily routine? It starts and generates MOMENTUM in the direction we CHOOSE. Good habits and an intentional, effective, daily, morning routine, have given me the incredible feeling of accomplishment, self-worth, and a much higher level of confidence. If that can happen for me, it can happen for anyone! Anyone who knows where and who I was, up until 2014, would quickly agree.
If you are interested in learning more about this, see MY OLD STORY under the ABOUT section of goodinthehead.com
SHIFT simply all came together in one realized, inspirational moment, immediately after waking up. (I have been learning to listen to the small, seemingly meaningless, inspirational ideas, that have been popping into my mind at random times throughout the day and immediately writing them down in a small book I carry around in my pocket. I’ve found that the more I listen to my gut instinct, or the still, small voice of inspiration, the more often it comes to me. It has revolutionized my world.)
SHIFT:
Sleep, Happiness, Intelligence, Fun, Talking.
There are some great ways to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle. One great way is to make a SHIFT: Sleep, Happiness, Intelligence, Fun, Talking.
SLEEP-It is so important. According to Shawn Stevenson, sleep is more important than diet and exercise combined. I highly recommend listening to his interview on the YouTube show, IMPACT THEORY. Simply go to the YouTube search engine and type: IMPACT THEORY SHAWN STEVENSON.
HAPPINESS-Its polar opposite is dangerous, but it is SO USEFUL TO EXPERIENCE THE CONTRASTING DIFFERENCES FOR OURSELVES! What makes us happy? Progression. Having intent. Purposefully, consistently working towards becoming a greater version of our self, so that we can enjoy a greater life. To have a better life, we must become better. It is something we ALL deserve! How do we expand into, progress towards, and become a greater version of our self? We must know EXACTLY what we want, five years from now, and reverse-engineer, or break it down, to know EXACTLY what it would take, each and every day, to create that life and get us to where we want to be in five years. With the right set of habits, we can literally reprogram and automate our minds and bodies to make ANYTHING happen! This is the importance of a repetitive, useful, empowering morning routine. When we set ourselves up to win the morning, we usually end up winning the entire day! It really is about momentum. It is entirely up to us to create a life of empowering momentum, or conform to the norm of laziness, comfort, and ease, and suffer from the dis-empowering effects of negative momentum.
INTELLIGENCE-We must always be learning. They say, “If you don’t use it you will lose it.” It is so true. When we don’t exercise muscles, they atrophy and we become physically weak. When we don’t use and exercise our brains, our brains will literally physically shrink, and we become progressively weaker, mentally. The most effective learning tool I have acquired has been listening to each of the many interviews on a show called Impact Theory. I also love the content from the show called, HEALTH THEORY. I don’t do it just once. I sometimes listen to one of the interviews at least three times a week. I take notes. I dive deeply into the lives of the guests, and research each of them, to learn even more about them. I follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I really take in what they are saying and write down ways that their teachings can be applied to my life, in order to make me more valuable to myself and others. One of the greatest interviews was done by Carol Dweck on The Growth Mindset, though every interview I have listened to has added a great amount of value to my life. When I bought the audiobook by Carol Dweck, “Mindset,” my life and my mind were forever changed. I have listened to it many times. The thing about learning and growing our intelligence is that we can do it every day of our lives. There are many other shows and podcasts to be listened to. Ed Mylett, Lewis Howes, Ted Talks, interviews and talks given by Jim Rohn, Tony Robbins, and many others, are just a click away!
FUN-We must have it! We need to laugh, hug, smile, walk on the ground with bare feet (look up Forest Bathing, or see the documentary called THE EARTHING MOVIE,) and always plan something to look forward to. That something needs to celebrate life. It can be a family dinner once a week, or even once a month. It can be a family trip once a year to a new location, for new adventures and opportunities to bond, and enjoy one another’s company. It has been proven that laughing, hugging, smiling, being in nature, and having something to look forward to, naturally releases oxytocin, dopamine, and many other feel-good chemicals and hormones, into the brain and bloodstream, which makes us feel good, and alleviates stress and anxiety. Through having fun, we connect with others, which is a basic, necessary, human need.
TALKING–Consistency in communication is KEY. Building relationships of trust, deeper and more meaningful connections, and strong bonds with others, is the direct result of consistent communication. The most value and benefit I have experienced in this life, so far, has literally come from my relationships, connections, and bonds, that I have been blessed to make with others. IT IS THROUGH OTHERS THAT LIFE BECOMES MORE BEAUTIFUL, MEANINGFUL, FULFILLING, AND FILLED WITH PURPOSE. The more we practice communication, the more deep and meaningful our relationships become. I would go as far as saying that our relationships are the most important acquisition of this lifetime. Communication fosters an environment in which connections thrive and grow. The most helpful book I have ever come across, which has been most beneficial in helping me improve communication skills is, “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” by Dale Carnegie. I highly recommend this book!
Pripo Teplitsky is a licensed therapist and teacher of optimizing communication skills to create more meaningful relationships with deeper connections. Learn more about him on The goodinthehead Podcast on YouTube:
Today I will remember to make a S.H.I.F.T. in my own life, knowing that doing so will add value to my life, make me a more valuable person, and empower me to live and maintain a truly, progressively enhanced, healthy, balanced lifestyle.
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Remember: Mindset matters. Character counts. That which we choose to consistently focus on is what EXPANDS in our lives. WE CREATE our realities.