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My Second Fave Piece of Advice

Oh hey there Reader,

If you’re on more than one email list about personal & biz development, you’ve probably heard everyone’s “top” advice. Which is actually usually 35 conflicting pieces of advice.

But, OK, let's say there's a fairly consistent one. Which is usually something like...

"Stop caring what everyone else thinks and go for what you want."

So easy, right?! Nah...

BUT, yes! That is my top piece of advice, too. I've spent most of my life (and still part of it) caring what other people thought/think of me and I wish I hadn't spent so much time focusing on that. (Also, side note, what a luxury I have in worrying about what others think of me vs just doing what I need to survive. The fact I have so much mental space to even worry... that's a luxury...ammiright?). Luxury to worry over stuff that really doesn't matter at all. Sigh. Live and learn :)

But that “top” advice really isn’t helpful, now is it?

That’s why today I want to share with you my second best piece of advice.

Piggy-backing on my previous emails... sleep, move your body, eat well, hydrate and avoid the toxic things.

We underestimate our health. Granted, there's no magic pill that will cure all and prevent us from being sick. I get that. Fran Leibowitz (a kindred spirit, really haha) shared that there's no wellness thing that will really prevent us from getting sick, but there's certain things that WILL get us sick.

Like, eating greens everyday won't necessarily prevent us from illness, but smoking cigarettes can kill us.

The thing is, all the work we do, the efforts we put in for "success," the things we build in life and contribute to, the relationships we nurture, they won't really mean much of anything if we aren't able to contribute in the way we want to because we feel crappy, our energy isn't great or we're showing up hungover and exhausted.

The idea of rule #1 is to go for things to ENJOY YOUR LIFE and to HAVE FUN. But if you feel like crap all the time, it becomes really hard to.

You also won't be able to contribute and be a producer in life like you want to be. YOU are your #1 investment above all else.

Take it from me. I’ve seen countless people burn out and harm their bodies cramming for success -- to "enjoy" life. They had no fun, they felt like crap, their bodies got hurt, they sabotaged relationships, finances and even their business.

I'm glad I was able to catch myself before I was passed the tipping point. I hit the tipping point HARD and swift, but with enough still in me to get back up.

How does this relate to Courageous Leadership?

You aren't showing up authentically if your mind/body/spirit are compromised along the way.

Courageous leaders put the oxygen mask on first.

You are your top investment. You can't show up and serve and contribute if you aren't well.

PS - if you want help figuring out some simple tools to take care of yourself, reply back with "care" and I'll send you some ideas.