[CLOH-News] Rant - Put Yourself First

[Mark Rauterkus]

New article with a video on Read.SwimISCA.org

I'm going to open this up to the world, for 48 hours. Then it will slide
into the Global Library for ISCA Members.

https://read.swimisca.org/healthy-ways-to-put-yourself-first/

Comments on the post are most welcome.


--
Ta.


Mark Rauterkus       Mark at Rauterkus.com
Webmaster, International Swim Coaches Association, SwimISCA.org

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Healthy Ways to put yourself “first”
VIDEO

CLOH.ORG

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CLOH.ORG
The ability to set goals and achieve them requires mustering up the courage
to take responsibility for your life.
That involves putting yourself and your wellness as a high priority. Making
it a priority to take care of your mental, physical, emotional, and
spiritual needs.
Some might say, “Put yourself first.”
Athletes and swimmers know what it means to be #1 – and first.
Others say to put yourself third – behind God and behind your family.
Others talk of putting the team first, then the individual.
Be it first, fourth, or whatever – you decide those details. But, be sure
to look as to where you put your keen interests.

Creating the life that you desire is up to you.
It can’t be the responsibility of others. You cannot create the life that
you desire if you keep getting in the way of yourself by thinking and
caring too much about others. No doubt, caring for the needs of others is a
natural human instinct, but it should not always be to your own detriment.

Many people are oblivious to the realization that they are the architects
of their fortunes.
They like to believe that putting the needs of others first, before their
own, follows a universal moral code of conduct that you must adhere to, the
failure of which makes them less human or less fortunate in life.

There are various reasons why people believe that putting the needs of
others ahead of their own is the best and only way to live.

They may think people will stop liking them.
They may think that being a tireless caregiver gives them a sense of
purpose and fulfillment.
Some sincerely feel responsible for others, or worse, they don’t feel
worthy of making themselves a priority.
Whichever one of the above categories you may find yourself in, the good
news is that you can reset your thinking.

Sadly, many people today suffer from thoughts of negating their own needs
for the benefit of others. It is, however, essential to know that this
thinking is false. You need to unshackle yourself from them to successfully
take charge of your life and fully accomplish your goals.

Rather than confining your thoughts to the preconceived notion of scary
consequence that would supposedly befall on you if you put yourself first,
it is much more reassuring to focus on the numerous benefits guaranteed by
putting yourself first. The importance of this is tied to many wholesome
benefits some of which include:

Being more productive.
Being happier and more joyful.
Having more energy.
Receiving more respect from others.
Improved relationships.
Experiencing less fear.
Suffering from less stress.
Feeling less resentment.
Experiencing less depressed.
These are the key areas where you stand to benefit if you learn to put
yourself first.

Take time to look at various healthy ways to put yourself first to gain the
many wonderful benefits.

Of course, You Matter - splash
Strategies for Putting Yourself First
Below are some healthy ways and tips that can help you develop the habit of
putting yourself first without burning bridges or negatively affecting your
energy, enthusiasm, and motivation. Following them helps you achieve your
goals, protect your mental and physical wellbeing, and overcome even your
biggest challenges.

Choose Your Purpose
Having a clear purpose in life is essential. It is the simplest, most basic
thing every person needs to live a fulfilling and satisfying life. Without
a clear sense of purpose, you will end up living your life haphazardly.
Your purpose also makes it easier for you to say ‘No’ to people and things
that do not align with your highest good. Being aware of your life purpose
and living it helps you identify those things that you need to do and when
you need to do them. By consciously reaffirming your purpose regularly, you
will be inspired to multiply your efforts of taking action to see your
purpose fulfilled.

Live by a Vision
Putting yourself first also requires that you develop a clear vision of the
life that you want to lead. A vision keeps you focused on the journey of
your life. A clear vision will allow you to effectively prioritize your
tasks and projects as the important things will align with your purpose and
vision of your ultimate life. To get clear about your vision, start by
reflecting on these three questions:

Who do I want to be?
What do I want to do?
How do you want to feel?
If you are unsure about your vision, ruminating on these questions will
assist you in getting clear about what you want out of life.

Set Personal Goals and Plan
Setting personal goals is a wise way to ensure your vision becomes a
reality. Goals make the realization of your vision much more achievable and
will keep you motivated and focused on what you want out of life. After
taking the time to set your goals, set aside regular time to plan how you
will achieve each of them.

Learn New Skills
As you draw up your goals and develop your vision, you may find you need to
learn new skills to make your ideal life a reality. Take some time to
identify those areas that you may be lacking in knowledge and skills. Then
take proactive steps to bridge the gap between your present level and your
desired level regarding your knowledge and skills.

Set Personal Boundaries
Setting person boundaries is a skill you need to master when learning how
to put yourself first because you will need it a lot on every step of your
journey. That is especially true if you tend to be a people-pleaser. Others
are used to you backing down and giving them what you want, so you’ll need
to stay strong. Look them in the eye and kindly say, “No, thank you.” Even
when they try to convince you to think otherwise, practice sticking to your
decision by not get pressured into consenting. Setting personal boundaries
is a vital skill because it enables you to defend your time and your rights
which is an essential component of putting yourself first.

Get Exercise
Putting yourself first isn’t only about goal setting and getting ahead.
It’s also about taking the time for self-care. After all, if you don’t take
care of your health, you’ll be unable to live your purpose or fulfill your
life’s vision. Put yourself and your health first by starting a program of
regular exercise as soon as possible if you aren’t already doing so.
Engaging in a brisk daily walk is all that’s needed to improve and maintain
your health.

Eat Healthy
A healthy diet is equally as important as your body’s need to exercise.
Eating a nutritious diet is a huge part of taking care of your health and
putting yourself first. If your diet needs a major overhaul, take it one
step at a time and work your way up to your ideal diet. Remember, putting
yourself first is about being kind to yourself.

Sleep More
Getting sufficient sleep is another essential component of putting yourself
first. It is also necessary for boosting your performance and replenishing
your energy. By getting enough sleep, you will be better equipped to face
the hurdles of the new day with greater confidence, energy, and enthusiasm.
Never allow anyone or anything come between you and the need to get enough
sleep.

Schedule Relaxation
Sometimes you may be lacking the energy you need to live your ultimate
life. Rather than trying to push through such times, it is better to
maximize your relaxation and recovery. You can engage in activities that
will help reduce fatigue and replenish your energy, such as meditation,
yoga, massage, or a quick nap. If you find you run low on energy and
motivation on a regular basis, start scheduling relaxation or downtime into
your day. A consistent relaxation routine will keep you on more of an
even-keel, so you don’t burn out.

Journal
Apparently, you have 60,000 or more thoughts per day. When you feel you
have a lot to do and you are overwhelmed with too many ideas, journaling
will help clear your head. Journaling can also lead to better
self-awareness, which is the foundation of putting yourself first. You can
journal any way you wish—with paper and pen or by using an app. You might
choose to journal every day or only when you feel overwhelmed or unsettled.
Whatever works for you is perfect.

Practice Gratitude
Take some time each day to reflect on the positives in your life. It’s easy
to focus on the things we’d like to change and neglect to be appreciative
for all we have. It is very important to have a realistic perspective on
your life and identify the positives for the sake of your health and
wellbeing. As you find the time to write down and reflect on all the things
you are grateful for each day, you will reduce your stress levels and
naturally find more and more to be grateful for in your life.

Putting yourself first is something you must make a conscious effort to do.
You must fill your cup first, or you end up with nothing left to give to
others. Even when you face negative reactions from people who feel that you
are selfish for putting yourself first, remembering the tips outlined
above. Applying them gives you the wherewithal to go on regardless. Live
the life that you desire.

Interactive Question
Use the comment box below and tell the world what you put as your number
one priority.

Is it your parents?
Is it your creator?
Is it your integrity and honesty?
Is it your health and wellness?
Is it your friends?
Think on it. We'd love to see your answers and replies.