Eat well
The key for me has always been a balanced diet. I recognize that the media continuously bombards us with what we should and shouldn't eat to remain healthy. I was blessed to have grown up in the Caribbean on a diet of fruit, vegetable, ground produce and grass-fed meat. Living in the UK, it’s much more difficult to achieve this but remains my goal. I do my best to eat fresh
produce, but I’m no zealot. Sometimes I don’t take the healthy options, but oftentimes I’m good. I make it a priority and I keep informed.
Exercise
I sit a lot because I write, so having an exercise regimen is very important. The benefits of being active cannot be disputed. It improves not just the physical part of you but your mental well-being too. I go to the gym, but walking, organized sports, cycling or even
trampolining can improve your cognitive and physical performance in every arena of your life.
Embrace Failure
If you're going to strive for greatness, you're going to fail. And that's just the rules of the game. Once you understand that then the next level thinking you require to be a winner is the story you tell yourself about failure. Achievers see failure as a lesson to be learned from and an aid for growth. Absorb that
fact into the story you tell yourself, and you will never fear failure again.
Have Goals and a Clear Vision
I've talked about goals before, and I guess I'm going to mention them again because they are that important. If you want your life to move up a notch, it's essential to have written goals. The act of writing down what you want in the past tense is not about creating a glorified To-Do List.
It's about clarity, identifying what you want and locking in your intentions. Powerful stuff.
Meditation
This is where I struggle. I know the power of mindful meditation and its many benefits. But this is the part of our upgrade that I personally fall down at. Don't get me wrong I do meditate - not enough and definitely not consistently. I just haven't made it a daily habit, and it should be because
it's a pivotal skill to master. I'm not the example I'd like to be in this instance, but I can safely say, an important part of my upgrade is meditation. I'm working on it though, and you'll be the first to know when the habit kicks in and what meditative technique I'm using.
Gratitude
Cultivating an attitude of gratitude can make you more than just a happier person, but It can make you healthier. Saying the words 'Thank
You' may not seem like a big deal but it can have an enormous impact on your mental and physical well being.
Cultivate Meaningful Relationships
Sometimes we get caught up in a relentless striving for fulfilment and forget the reasons we do what we do. Relationships are the place where your greatest joy comes from but they require effort and nurturing. The success of any of these, depends on
what we as individuals are prepared to invest in them. Life would be pointless without our family, friends and lovers. Lets show them how important they are to us..
Do I need to say more?
My Challenge for You
Tackle all seven of these guidelines and make them your own. The key to any upgrade is making these changes habits. Only when you embed them as automatic
patterns of behavior will they work. Repetition is the key and studies aren't definitive on how long it takes to acquire a habit, but you will know when you do. Keep at it. The effort is worth every moment.
RECOMMENDED READ? How to be
F*king Awesome is a realistic and practical guide to not just business but life. Neither is a walk in the park and Dan Meredith doesn't intend to sugar coat what it takes to succeed in any of them. His brutal honesty is refreshing. Check it out.
Peace, Love and Power
&
Kwa Heri, Kings and Queens
