In an uncontrollable world …
These are uncertain times. Kenny is losing weight.
Whenever the economy starts wreaking havoc on his world, Kenny starts losing weight. It’s not because he’s worried and can’t eat. It’s one of his ways to take control.
The odds are that you can’t do anything about the economy. Your company and industry will go their way without consulting you. So it’s easy to begin to feel that things are out of control.
When that happens, the thing to do is take control of things you can control. That’s what Kenny does.
He starts exercising again and paying attention to what he eats. That’s why he loses weight. But there are other benefits, too.
The exercise has stress-busting benefits. The diet and exercise program give him more energy. And he feels more in control of his world.
Paying attention to exercise and diet can do the same for you. Here are some other things you can do to feel more in control.
Get enough sleep. Most of the things that keep you from getting enough sleep are things you can control. Set a regular schedule for going to bed. Make sure the room is dark and quiet and cool.
Sleep is the time when your body and brain re-charge. People who get enough sleep handle stress better. They make better decisions, too.
It’s easy to get caught up in the events and stress of the day. So take some time every day to do two things that will improve your well-being.
Connect with people who love you. Relationships are the best source of support there is. Make time to get together with friends and family. Talk with them on the phone.
Do something to move your life forward. It doesn’t have to be big. Send out a few resumes. Follow up on some leads. Read a professional article.
One thing about a downturn is that it’s the universe telling you to do what you should have been doing anyway. Paying attention to exercise, diet, and sleep is a good thing all the time. Enriching relationships and moving your life and career ahead are good anytime.
But when the world is turbulent and out of control, those things pay special dividends. They help you take control of parts of your life and set yourself up for success.