How can you get back on track with your goals?

After traveling last month, my schedule got a little messy and I realized getting back on track required some serious effort. 

I found myself "avoiding" doing certain things both which are good for me as well as my growing yoga therapy & coaching business.  

Why was I getting distracted?

Being consistent without stopping is key to productivity in any area of your life. 

Yes... being consistent with my daily exercise made it possible to run a half marathon last month!  🏃🏻‍♀️   So, it is indeed ideal to be as consistent as possible.

Being consistent without stopping is key to productivity in any area of your life. 

Yes... being consistent with my daily exercise made it possible to run a half marathon last month!  🏃🏻‍♀️   So, it is indeed ideal to be as consistent as possible. 

Why do you avoid doing these crucial things?

It could have something to do with any of these aspects:

• Avoiding the discomfort of facing some fear or anxiety.

• Avoiding the pain associated with feeling weak, insecure or lacking knowledge or skill. 

• Avoiding the discomfort to putting some effort.  After all, it takes physical energy to get things done.

So, what can you do to being consistent and how can yoga help? 

(More on that below...)

The first step is self-awareness.  There is a relationship between your physical and emotional states and what is happening in your life.  

If you learn to be self-aware, that is, if you learn to know what  is happening in your body and mind, then you have the basic tools to take productive action.

Think of a task that you procrastinate, struggle getting done, or takes too long to accomplish and go over these 4 questions:

1. Feelings. What am I feeling about this task?   What am trying to avoid? Is it fear/anxiety?  Is it weakness/ lack of skill/?  Am I avoiding putting out energy?

2. Thoughts. What are my thoughts about this situation?

3. Reframe. How can I reframe that thought in a new empowering light?

4. Micro-action. What micro-action can I take now towards the achievement of my goal?

Example:

Task that I procrastinate:  offering my services

1. Feelings: I am trying to avoid the fear of being perceived as lacking good communication skills

2. Thoughts: I have been rejected for not being a good communicator in English, my second language.

3. Reframe: That was over 10 years ago.  My communication skills have greatly improved since then. I hear all the time my English is clear.

4. Micro-action: Practice offering my services to the people that I feel most comfortable with first.

So, what does this have to do with yoga? 

From my work with hundreds of people guiding them in connecting with their bodies through yoga, I have realized that due to various reasons, people do not recognize the happenings inside their bodies.   This is key to first identify uncomfortable emotions and second, to move on from discomfort and pain to freedom.   Once you are in a space of freedom from discomfort, you can get more things done, even those things you know are so good for you.   It is important to understand emotional responses and physical sensations, especially in stressful situations.

Practice yoga allowing yourself to pause and notice regularly.  Notice and name how you feel as you stretch.  How does the stretch feel?  where exactly?  Notice what thoughts come through your mind when you do certain postures... Do you feel relaxed on your chest or is it tight?   Do your hands tend to remain tightened while the rest of the body is relaxed?

You can also take this practice of pausing and noticing regularly outside the mat.  Does your neck tighten before speaking to a particular person? Do you get a headache 30 minutes after making a big presentation?   Ask yourself the 4 questions outlined above to discover what is the underlying emotion and ultimately take productive action.