I've adopted a new motivational slogan for my various missions in life. I call it SHOW UP FOR YOURSELF. It's my personal commitment to giving myself the same attention, energy, and support I freely give to my family, my friends, and those I serve.
I started saying SHOW UP FOR YOURSELF, TRACY a couple of months ago when I got back on the personal health and fitness wagon (for the hundredth time). In short, I put the advice I give to those that I coach to work for myself. It was so simple. But why hadn't I done this sooner?
I pondered over the many excuses I kept giving myself for not taking my weight loss/fitness more seriously. It certainly isn't consistent with what I do for others. I would never neglect them the way I neglect myself. When I'm taking care of my family, helping my kids to overcome their academic hurdles, being there for a friend who needs to vent, or coaching a client or the teens in my outreach group, I'm giving it the old 100. But when it comes to me and the things that are personal priorities, I go on mute. Aren't I just as valuable and important as they are? How much of an encouragement am I actually being if I'm ignoring my own needs?
Like many women I know, putting others before myself went from being a simple virtue to becoming some sort of distorted badge of honor. This, in and of itself, became an excuse for me to not show up for myself in areas where only I could make a difference for me. If I don't workout, it's not like someone else can burn the calories for me. (How I wish that were true!) If I don't write, how else are my words going to reach the world? How are the characters from my stories eventually going to come to life before the eyes of the millions of readers who'll enjoy my books?
I think President Barak Obama said it best. "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."
I've taken this to heart and put it to action in my life, and let me tell you, it's paying off!
- I've gotten up to five consistent workouts a week
- I'm stronger
- I feel better about myself and my ability
- My thoughts flow more freely and clearly
- My creativity is rising
- I'm writing more frequently and consistently
- I finally got up the courage to send my first query letter to a publishing agent
So, sister, I speak with passion when I tell you to SHOW UP FOR YOURSELF. If you don't, who will?
