If you truly want to capitalize on your potential and live the long, healthy, happy life you desire, there are six principles to follow. These are based on interviews with some of the most successful people with whom I have worked. They follow these principles until they become habitual. I have put them into the acronym E.N.E.R.G.Y. They are as follows:
Exercise:
As we get older we realize that health is more important than anything else. How you treat your body today will determine how it treats you later in life. The good news – you do not have to run marathons (kudos if you do). Most I spoke with just ensure they have a regular routine such as going for a (brisk) daily walk, or engage in a routine such as yoga.
Be sure to include your brain in your exercise program. The mind is like a muscle. If you don’t use it, you lose it. Continuous learning is the minimum requirement for success in any field. This is because your thoughts determine your feelings. Your feelings determine your behavior. Your behavior will determine your habits. And, it is your habits that will determine the level of success you ultimately achieve.
Nutrition
There are good foods which we avoid and other foods that are almost toxic to our bodies. Things that we should not be eating are; white bread, deep fried foods, margarine, creamy salad dressings, and believe it or not, concentrated orange juice.
Some of the best include; almonds (or any nuts), salmon, apples, bananas, broccoli, sweet potatoes, spinach and vegetable juice. As well, research says your grandmother was right ? breakfast really is the most important meal of the day.
Emotion
To harness your emotional capacity is the most powerful notion any individual can do to change the direction of their life. It has been determined that the more pent up negative emotion you maintain, the less you can function both mentally or physically.
On the other hand, the most amazing feats have been performed by individuals who have been able to convert their emotion into constructive use.
Examples include; in 2006 a Quebec mother battled a polar bear to save her child. In 2013 two teenage girls lifted a 3,000 pound tractor off their father and saved his life. It was harnessing their emotion that enabled this ability.
The best way to maintain positive emotional health is to always be grateful. Every morning, within 20 minutes after waking up, “write down” everything you can think of, for which you are grateful.
Relaxation
A taboo subject in North American business is taking afternoon naps. However, all the research now says that it is one of the best kept secrets to increasing productivity, improving physical health and developing a positive mental attitude.
Most US Presidents took afternoon naps. Lynden B Johnston actually got into his pyjamas and crawled into bed for 20 minutes every afternoon. A 2012 study in the journal Neurobiology of Learning and Memory showed student cognitive skills increase 30% after a nap. As well, NASA has determined that a 26 minute nap increased pilot performance over 34%.
As you know, the “siesta” is institutionalized in many countries. Even a walk in nature to break up the day has proven to have significant benefits to physical and mental health.
Goal setting
This single act has changed many lives. Write out your goals in the present tense. Doing this programs them deep into your subconscious mind and will activate your mental powers. It will stimulate your mind and make you more alert. Throughout the day, you will see the opportunities that move you more rapidly toward success.
Some people I interviewed take a few minutes every night to plan their activities for the coming day. They think on paper and work from a list, and check off the list as things get done. This is one of the most powerful and important disciplines for high performance.
Y-Eudemonia
Where does our happiness come from? Well, you will be surprised to learn that only 10% comes from our current circumstances. 50% actually comes from our DNA, we are born with it. But, there is 40% that we can influence.
To influence that 40% follow these simple rules: 1) Surround yourself with only happy people, 2) Smile, no matter how you feel, 3) Appreciate the simple things, 4) Practice daily gratitude, and 5) Maintain a belief that everything happens for a reason.
With each of these principles, you must take action. This ensures that you will perform at the highest possible level and get the greatest satisfaction and results from everything you do. Practice these six disciplines and make a plan to incorporate each of them into your daily life.
My question for managers this week: “What do you do to maintain an optimistic attitude and create a constructive environment where your staff will enjoy coming to work every day?”
