It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
All of our past posts have been placed HERE if you want to go back and read one.
Last week we talked about the crazy seasons we go through in our life.
One of the ideas we were encouraged to do was simply to "Plan Time to Refuel". CLICK HERE to read the full post from last week.
This past week I guest lectured for a friend who teaches an Executive Coaching Class at a local Graduate School. I get to do this class every semester, and I teach about the LifePlan Process that I use when working with Executive Leaders.
As I was teaching and presenting the unique aspect of a holistic life-coaching tool, I was reminded again of the importance of refueling ones life.
There's a tool in the LifePlan process that is called THE REPLENISHMENT CYCLE.
The premise is this: When we take care of ourselves by "refueling our life", it makes us a better leader, a better person, a better friend, and on and on.
The Replenishment Cycle helps you define, quantify and evaluate the things that you do in your life on a regular basis that then keeps you refreshed.
I'll share one of mine...
When I brainstormed my Replenishment Cycle during my LifePlan, the idea of "Intentional Adventure" came to the surface. As I processed this with my facilitator, I realized that "I'm BETTER" when I have the opportunity for adventure in my life. I define adventure as simple being a little bit "on the edge". Pushing some of my limits, maybe being outside of my comfort zone. I'm not talking about crazy things, but over the past few years, as I have integrated a level of adventure into my life, it has been defined as 2 specific opportunities during the year, at least 2 days in length. I rode motorcycles in Ecuador through the jungle and the volcanoes. I went on a personal retreat that involved fly-fishing. I worked with my wife to take our kids on 2 trips together, to Ecuador and to Hawaii. I traveled with friends into Central Asia. These took time, cost some money, and took a lot of planning, but I'm realizing when I have some form of adventure I'm working on, I'M BETTER!
It's easy for me to settle into the monotony of life, doing my job, working my list. I need some intentional adventure, and it restores my soul. I come home physically exhausted, but my soul is alive.
Today, if you're in a busy season of life, or if you're living with some added stress, look at this part of your life. What are you currently doing to refuel? What would you like to do to restore your spirit?
Use the chart above and identify at least 4 things that you need to do, and integrate them into your life, your daily schedule, your annual rhythm. It will make a difference and as you are refilled, you'll be a better leader, a healthier leader.
"Been moving on so long, in silence and running on empty
I've known it all along, compliance is no less than guilty
You can break the speed of sound, horizons won't come any closer."
Jackson Browne, "Running On Empty"
*I want to encourage you STRONGLY to take some time and do this exercise. It has made a difference in my life, and I know it will impact your life as well. If you are interested in doing the full LifePlan Process, of which this is 1 of 22 different tools, please contact me. I'm offering 2-day LifePlans here at my office in Southern California, and am now booking into the summer. To find more information, CLICK HERE.
To read the previous posts CLICK HERE
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