Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life…Make the Most of It!

I love this phrase. It resets my thinking. It may sound a bit Pollyannaish but my feeling is that life is too short and goes by quickly.  Just think about those college age kids who only yesterday were apple-cheeked toddlers?  It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day demands of our hectic lives and forget to stop and take stock.

One day, a client and I were waiting for an elevator in a NYC building.  I kept pressing the elevator button and my client informed me that elevators in NYC are programmed at higher speeds as New Yorkers are some of the most impatient people in the world. We live in a fast-paced world. Work demands, commuting, family, social life, committees, etc….there never seems to be enough hours in a day. Big “to do lists” can take over.

TGIF….

Did you ever stop to think about what this means? Thank God it’s Friday….so many people focus and live for their weekends. Weekends may mean….no alarm clocks, late dinners with friends or family, sports, recreation, time with the kids, no deadlines….fun and freedom for some of us. Of course, it can also mean racing from one soccer or lacrosse game to the next, fitting in grocery shopping, mowing the lawn and all those other weekend chores!

However, too many people go through life looking forward to their next break, lunch hour, and the end of the workday, weekends or vacations. We live in a forward-looking world. Some people are focused on retirement and when they can hop off the daily grind. Recently, I met with a new prospective client who plans to retire in 10 years at age 62. I spoke with him about what life looks like in a retirement that could stretch out almost as long as he spent working. He is convinced that playing tennis every day will be enough for him and remain enjoyable.

We speak with clients about whether or not they wish to play tennis or golf 365 days a year for the foreseeable future.  Can they do something else for the world or for themselves to keep their minds actively engaged? We are living longer so we prefer to look at “independent living” rather than ‘retirement’. Go to work because you want to, not because you have to do so. If you love what you do, you are more likely to work longer.

Staying Present…..

Of course, staying focused on the present is easier said than done as our hectic schedules drive us. I have had more than one person tell me to ‘stop and smell the roses’ myself. It is a good idea to stop and take stock of your blessings each day and be thankful for what you do have!

If you stop to take stock you probably have much to be grateful for in your life.  If you have your health, enough money for your family to live well, an athletic or artistic talent,  brains, family and friends, a gorgeous community in which we live and hopefully a career which you love, it helps to reflect on these gifts. Start from a present grateful place each day.

Kick off Your Day…..

Habits take 21 days to create or break as the case may be. Taking a little time for you, for your mental and physical health, can kick-start your day. Finding that “you” time is critical to your mental well-being.  Squeezing in some quiet time to reflect on your blessings, set your goals and get some physical exercise will help you start today as the first day of the rest of your life!

You might take just 15-20 minutes to meditate in the morning. Calm your mind, center yourself, have a few minutes of quiet and peace before “hectic” takes over is a great way to start the day. Ideally, if you can also fit in 20-30 minutes of exercise, you will really kick off your day with a burst!

After commuting on the 6:36am train for 9 years, getting up at 5:15am to feed the critters, myself and get ready for the day before racing out the door to catch the train, I know first-hand how hard it is to get up even 30 minutes earlier to exercise.  But it can be done!

Find a plan that works for you. It may be a buddy system where you meet a friend or buddy 2-3 times a week to work-out together. It could be a midday excursion to the gym. You could sign up for classes or a fitness trainer so you have an appointment with yourself.  You could take walks before dinner with the dog or the kids.

Figure out what works for you. But do try to fit in at least four days with 30-45 minutes of some type of exercise. As a member of the advisory council for the American Heart Association, I see presentations by cardiologists frequently and the effects of exercise on our health and hearts is very powerful. Do it for yourself!