What's so good about getting corrected by a 5 year old?

Have you ever been held to account? There is a good chance you have been and if so there is a fair chance next time you were much more conscious of doing the job or activity right. The point of my message is accountability and how you and I need it to become better and achieve success. I don't care who you are this is one thing we all have in common - we need to be held accountable.

To prove my point by using a very simplistic story; my daughter who is only 5 years old and in pre school is learning the alphabet, sounding out words and so forth. All very exciting for her and she's doing very well. She is doing so well I am constantly being corrected in my grammar. I have fallen into the horrible habit of saying yeah and she without fail stops me and makes me repeat the word properly. "You said Yeah Dad say it properly". Of course I follow orders. Same goes with the word what instead of pardon. At first it was a little bit of fun but she aint stopping and guess what? I am improving my speaking especially around her. True accountability isn't it.

What's my point? Well just think if you had someone you were accountable to as far as your lifestyle, business or anything really. You can't hide or fudge it and you have to answer to someone when you aren't pulling your weight. You then are forced to make serious choices as to whether you conform, make sacrifices and succeed or realise you aren't ready to take the task seriously enough. Either way you get a result or a realisation and you stop beating around the bush.

For me I have just been told my coffee is ready by Sabina and of course I replied with a, "yes thank you sweety". Only 5 but she's got me wrapped around her little finger.

Do you make your bed?

Why on earth would I be asking you this question especially as I am putting myself out to the world as a Lifestyle / Performance Enhancement coach? Glad you asked because I believe the answer is pivotal in making and maintaining long term behavioural changes vital if you are looking to improve not just in your lifestyle but any area of your life. If you don't already know, I am driven to find the solution to why so many of us humans don't take every step possible to ensure our own health and well being. We all profess to know that exercise and activity is good for us and eating the right foods will keep us healthier but we still struggle to follow through on this. Why?

Look familiar

Well I am a long way off getting that answer yet but I will explain why I asked the question put to you in the title. And that is because so many people have the greatest intentions to improve themselves in numerous ways and take off at a hundred miles an hour only to end up back at square one within a month or two. What's even worst their motivation levels are probably even lower due to the fact that they have only succeeded in reinforcing that improving yourself is hard work and near on impossible. Well all of this type of thinking is floored and totally unfounded. Because you haven't taken the time to do the first things first. Hence making your bed. If you follow the principle or guideline of doing the first things first, this will be your first duty every day.

So basically whatever self improvement vision or goal you have you need to start at the beginning. You only have to see the amount of gym memberships that are left unused. The amount of treadmills left idle in the lounge. The proper foundation hasn't been laid before action has begun. Sounds easy enough and you may think you know this but do you do it? So develop your self awareness and question if you do complete the first things first. Would you build a house without laying a solid concrete slab foundation to lay the bricks on. Definitely not so why start a lifestyle improving plan without laying the foundations.

Maybe the builder here didn't apply the first things first principle

Here's some tips to help you start with the first things first. Apply this formula to every task you undertake and success will be heading your way more often than not.

1. Take responsibility for your actions and realise you are the only one who makes change work or fail - stop making excuses
2. Have a vision or a dream so strong that you can almost touch it or smell it. If it isn't this strong you don't want it enough yet.
3. Plan and execute it to achieve your vision. Construct a plan that is solid and exercise self discipline and self regulation to help carry it out. Be true to yourself and do what you said you would.

Now go and make your bed!!!!

Have you been on a date lately?

The dating game can be a frustrating, exciting and even extremely rewarding. And even though I am very happily married with 3 wonderful kids I still go on dates. How about you? When was the last time you went on a date - with yourself!!!! That's right with yourself. As part of my mission as a Lifestyle coach and a performance enhancement coach I am not surprised to hear that this is one thing that is sadly missing from the lives of the majority.

By making a date with yourself you are reinforcing to your subconscious mind that you are special and important. Why do you think singles are so proud and eager to let out to their friends and associates that they are out on a date tonight or on the weekend. Whether it is because their ego has been stroked I don't know but it signifies that they are important enough for someone to give up time to be with them. and this what you should do for yourself. Give up time to be with yourself completely and without distraction. This may be a cafe date where you read the paper and enjoy a flat white. Or it may be a massage, a pedicure, a shoe shine, a pedicure, a foot spa or just a plain old sit in the mall and watch the world go by. Whatever the date is you would be well served to make it fun, mentally relaxing and soothing so it takes you away from your usual routine. Spoil yourself for once and start training your mindset to believe you are important.

If this concept sounds corny or totally wrong to you, try it and see what you think. Here's some tips to get it happening.

1. Book it: Confirm it by putting in your diary the twenty minutes, hour or two hours you need to have a great date with yourself. Write in the time the date, the place and prioritise it.
2. Prepare for it: If you need to book in for your date do it immediately you have booked your own time. If you are leaving work prepare anyone around you that you are unavailable at the time you will be away. You don't have to tell them what you are doing, just tell them i am unavailable for an hour. You will be surprised how empowering that action is.
3. Honour yourself: Make sure you follow through and do it. If you are like most people you already put yourself at least second and possibly last, this stops here and you prioritise your date time. If you are looking for an excuse to get out of it you will find it on the other hand if you look for ways to ensure you keep the date you will find it.
4. Love it: Live completely in the moment, turn off the phone, and totally engage in yourself. If you are reading a book or paper get fully engaged in it. If it's a massage go to sleep, a foot spa go to sleep or zone out. You get the picture - this is your time use it for you only.

If you are still finding this concept hard to embrace, try this on for size. If you don't take the time and rate yourself importantly enough to structure in time for yourself someone else definitely will. But it won't be for you it will be so they can have more dates with themselves. Make this a priority today and take the first step now. It won't get any easier the longer you leave it.