I had the best Crew that I've ever worked with, the best Environment I've ever been a part of, by far the best Facility I've ever worked from, and at a time when the club was turning things around on the field.
And since the Christmas Break of this year, I walked away from it all!
They say that we will only ever make true change in our lives through two ways;
Crisis or Choice!
Juggling a young family is hard, very hard in fact, it could well be the biggest daily grind we ever face, but when you add a demanding job (like a High Performance Coach in Sport) on top of that;
The long hours,
The weekend work
The constant traveling
The short term contracts
Not being able to control your time;
Family life can be even harder!
There's a quote around work from the book
'The Psychology Of Money' By Morgan Housel
(I highly recommend this book too by the way)
that I always think about;
'Doing something you love on a schedule you can't control, is the same thing as doing something you hate'
And I can 100% relate to this;
I had my dream role, in my best environment, and deep down I knew it wasn't right, I wasn't happy, and here's why;
We all work from a Value System, whether we know it or not, and our overall happiness and fulfillment is very much tied to how we are living in alignment to these Values.
For me, my Value System is tied around;
Freedom (being able to choose how I spend my 3 most valuable resources, my time, my attention & my $$)
Connection (with family, friends, nature, work & myself)
Health (Mental, Physical & Spiritual)
With the benefit of hindsight, working in Sport only hit 2 parts of my Value System;
It was great for my physical health,
I had connection to my work
But apart from these, this was it, so it was a role that was never going to work for me long term, and it's why I was never truly happy.
And in Sep last year, this all came to a head, our Crisis some would say!
After our youngest son Jack's Diagnosis, Both Megan & Myself knew instantly that our lives had moved in another direction and that we needed to make some drastic changes, changes that were more in alignment to our Value System and what we wanted/needed as a family;
Since having kids we've been in search of the 4 S's (Stability, Security, Space & Support),
and in a weird turn of events, throughout this year, the 4 S's were beginning to point us back to my home town in NZ;
So we decided to take a leap of faith, make the change and move country;
With no jobs, no income, nothing.....
And It's scary as fuck, probably the scariest, most uncertain thing we've ever done, but I have this deep faith that it was the right thing to do and it's what we needed as a family;
So in that faith, I know we will sort it all out, get through this initial shock, and we all will eventually thrive!
And you know what, after only 2 weeks, it's already proving so!
All I can say to anyone this may hit home for, and questions we asked ourselves while at this junction of life;
Whats the cost to yourself, your family or your loved ones of not making change?
If making change is in alignment to what you truly value, whats the worst that could happen?
If you can answer these 2 questions truthfully and honestly, you'll know what to do!
Until next time
Az
Until next time
Until next time
No gimmicks, slight of hand, or latest self help guru tricks; You show me 3 things and I can show you why your not happy, healthy or living your best life.
And it's the same for everyone, know one is safe and immune to these 3 things!
each and every day tells me everything, and I mean everything I need to know about you;.
This list goes on and on, but you get the drift.
It's an instant red flag for me when someone tells me they don't have the time;
Again you get the drift, we've all been there, and it's so easy to use an excuse as a reason as to why you never try, but you know what;
'Excuses are lies only you believe'
But here's some action steps you can take to make some positive changes towards a desired goal and make it near impossible to not achieve;
1) Write up a daily schedule of everything you do in a day (from waking in the morning to going to bed) get an idea of where your time goes
2) Create a tally of where your day goes (how many hours is work?, how long do your breaks add up to? How many hours is your commute? How many hours do you watch tv? How many hours do you sleep etc)
3) Now, Identify A Goal
4) Re-jig your day so that you have an 1hr to put towards the above goal (wake up earlier, go to bed later, use your lunch break, get the kids involved etc. I guarantee we all have an 1hr in our day we can find)
5) Get to work (take this hour and do your thing, go for a walk, get to the gym, go food shopping, start meditating, doing any of these with your kids (they will love it), start that finance course etc, this is your time to shine.
I promise you that if you put an hour a day into something that's meaningful to you, you throw out the excuses and stay consistent day in day out, the compound effect of this will be life changing!
Remember, know one believes your excuses......
Until next time
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I hope some of things hit home for you as they did for me;
Until next time
]]>And In honour of it being 'Mental Health Month'
Today, I thought we could delve into 4 key areas of our lives that can greatly impact our mental state (positively or negatively);
- Connection
- Getting Uncomfortable
- Time Alone with Your Thoughts
- The Stories We Tell Ourselves.
CONNECTION
The sense of connection we cultivate—to our work, ourselves, others, and our environment—plays a pivotal role in our mental well-being.
Work: When we engage in work that aligns with our values and interests, we feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment. It's more than a pay check—it's a connection to our goals, passions, and dreams.
Self: Connecting with ourselves is about understanding our emotions, thoughts, and motivations. Self-awareness is the first step toward growth and change.
Others: Humans are social beings. Healthy relationships with friends, family, and our community provide support, love, and a sense of belonging—bolstering our mental resilience.
Environment: Whether it's nature, a cherished home, or a favorite coffee shop, feeling connected to our environment promotes calmness and a sense of grounding.
GETTING UNCOMFORTABLE
Stepping out of our comfort zones is where true growth happens. This concept applies physically as well:
Exercise & Movement: Regular physical activity has been shown time and time again to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Exercise releases endorphins—our body's natural mood lifters.
Hot/Cold Exposure: Practices like hot yoga or cold showers can strengthen our mental resilience. The discomfort experienced is a form of stress, but a controlled, short-lived one that can improve our response to stress overall.
TIME ALONE WITH YOUR THOUGHTS
In our fast-paced world, time for reflection can be a rarity. Yet, it's essential for mental health.
Meditation: Regular meditation can reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and promote emotional health. It's a practice of observing our thoughts without judgment.
Journaling: Writing our thoughts and feelings can provide clarity, encourage self-discovery, and serve as a therapeutic outlet for emotions.
Breathwork: Conscious control of our breathing can help manage stress and anxiety. It's a tool for calming our minds and grounding ourselves in the present moment.
THE STORIES WE TELL OURSELVES
Our self-perceptions shape our reality. The narratives we form about ourselves and our circumstances can uplift or dis-empower us.
By cultivating self-compassion and challenging negative thought patterns, we can rewrite these stories. Self-affirmations, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and mindfulness practices can be particularly useful in this endeavor.
As we explore these four pillars, remember: mental health isn't a destination, but a journey. It's about progress, not perfection.
I invite you to incorporate these practices into your daily routine and observe the positive impacts they can have on your mental state.
Until next time
Until next time
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Time perception plays a crucial role in our lives. Our brains are wired to focus on the present moment, which can make us feel as if we have limited time. But in reality, it's how we choose to spend our time that determines whether we feel satisfied or overwhelmed. By re-evaluating our priorities and time management, we can shift our perception and feel more in control of our days.
🏃♂️ Breaking Bad Habits: The Key to Reclaiming Your Time
1 Identify time-wasting activities: Take a hard look at your daily routine and identify activities that consume more time than they should. Once you're aware of these time-wasters, you can begin to replace them with more productive habits.
2 Prioritize tasks: Start by listing your tasks in order of importance. Focus on completing high-priority tasks first, which will help you feel more accomplished and in control of your time.
3 Create a schedule: Allocate specific time slots for each task in your day, and stick to your schedule as much as possible. This will help you avoid multitasking and keep you focused on the task at hand.
4 Set realistic goals: Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable goals. This will help you maintain momentum and prevent you from becoming overwhelmed.
5 Practice mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques into your daily routine to help you stay present and focused, reducing feelings of time scarcity.
👨👩👧👦 Make Time for What Matters Most
With all the demands of modern life, it's crucial to prioritise time for ourselves, our health, and our loved ones. When we consciously allocate time for the things that truly matter, we can create a more balanced and fulfilling life.
💡 Action Steps for This Week:
1 Conduct a time audit: Track how you spend your time for a week. Identify any time-wasters and areas for improvement.
2 Set a personal or professional goal: Choose one goal you'd like to achieve and break it down into smaller tasks. Allocate time for these tasks in your schedule.
3 Make time for self-care: Schedule a regular self-care activity, whether it's exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones.
Remember, we all have the same amount of time each day—it's how we choose to use it that makes all the difference. Here's to making every second count!
Until next time
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