Coffee Talk #201: 6 Tips to Align Your Life

It’s Tuesday! Grab your cup and let’s start chattin’.

If we were having coffee together today, I’d say another BIG CONGRATS to Casey for winning the Booty Kicker giveaway! We had a live drawing on the Coffee Talk chat this morning. Check it out:

I loved hosting this Booty Kicker giveaway! I’m excited for a new Virtual Barre Challenge, too. On this morning’s live I announced TWO NEW challenge groups.

>>> Fall in Love with Yoga & Barre (September 22 – October 3)

>>> Fall into Fitness (October 6 – November 3)

I love hosting virtual challenges! It’s a great way to connect with the fitness community, a great way to keep each other accountable, and a fun way to share new and innovative fitness techniques. I know that everyone has a different level of comfort when it comes to fitness classes at home vs. in-person, so I’m pleased to be able to provide these offerings. I hope you’ll consider joining one or both!

If we were having coffee together today, I’d tell you the one thing that keeps popping into my head is BALANCE. There’s this myth of having and finding balance that creeps into so many conversations, particularly those I have with female clients. We’ve been taught to achieve a work-life balance, or a work-life-mom-wife balance, more accurately for some.

I define balance as having a handle on the various elements in your life and not feeling like your heart or your mind are being pulled too far in any direction.

I think the problem with balance – and why I’ve shifted away from it – is the result of this tug of war work vs. life feeling. I try very hard to be my authentic self at work and at home. Sure, I’m more relaxed at home, but I like to think I hold the same values and act in the same manner, no matter where my physical body is located.

So instead, I’ve started to shift the conversation from ‘balanced’ to ‘aligned.’

To me, being ‘aligned’ means that I understand and LIVE what is important to me, that I’m able to greet the day with excitement, and that I’m working towards MY goals. Something I’ve learned about myself recently (in the past few years) is that I’m unhappy when I feel like I have to spend the day checking off tasks on someone else’s to-do list. I’m unhappy punching a time clock. I do record my hours, but truthfully I log hours all times of the day because that’s what works right now for me and for the students. I need flexibility like that and the opportunity to be creative.

Are you feeling like you need a shift toward alignment in your life? I have some tips to get started!

6 Tips to Align Your Life

1. Start with reflection. What do I value? What do I know? What do I want to learn? What goals do I want to work toward?

2. Reflect on your joys and blessings. Notice and embrace. What are your priorities? What is most meaningful to you?

3. Define boundaries. How much of my day is devoted to what matters? What is an acceptable use of your time? What causes unnecessary stress?

4. Be consistent. Once you’ve developed your list of values and priorities, and determined acceptable uses of your time and energy – STICK WITH IT. Change only happens when you make it happen. “You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” –John C. Maxwell

5. Focus on you. Let go of expectations. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. Stay in YOUR lane. Just because something ‘magically’ worked for someone else, that does not mean it’s right for you. Oftentimes, you don’t see the grit and the work that goes into an awesome result. Worry about you and know that what others are doing is not your business!

6. Sleep, hydrate, move your body. This will forever go on any and every list of tips I create. You can’t even begin to think about welcoming alignment into your life if you don’t properly take care of yourself! Get enough sleep (adults need like 7-9 hours). Drink enough water (1/2 your bodyweight in ounces and MORE if you work out regularly). Move your body for at least 20-30 minutes a day.

Are you ready to align your life?