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.