In the introduction, I asked you to name one thing that’s causing you pain—the likely reason you were attracted to doing this course.
Now, I want you to evaluate your life as a whole.
This module is almost entirely an action item. You’ll want a top to bottom, head to toe life assessment of what’s not going right. In what ways are you stuck, wishing for change? Nothing is trivial. If it matters to you, it matters.
This probably won’t take you very long at all. It’s much like a pre-flight check when you scan the plan from prop to rudder and top to bottom before you even get into it. Inside, a pilot will perform other pre-flight checks with the engines running.
Brainstorm. Air it all out.
This isn’t meant to shame you or make you feel worse. It will become clear as we continue working through the program, that you need the leverage of the discomfort this brings you in order to fuel your drive to change.
Also, much like a compass or the spokes on a wheel, everything is connected. Even though I had you write down that one thing in the beginning, it’s never just one thing. Our actions have a ripple effect throughout every aspect of our lives.
An example: If you stay up too late binging Netflix and drinking too much wine (guilty) you’re far less likely to get up in the morning and exercise. Being tired ripples throughout your day and your interactions. Your job might suffer because you’re less motivated or your relationships might suffer because you lack the energy to give anything extra. They get the scraps. Because you’re tired, your body craves sugar and caffeine to pump you up and BOOM, you’re ordering pizza because you’ve lost the energy or give a dang to do anything demanding. The goals you set for yourself are relegated to the land of Scarlett O’Hara “After all, tomorrow is another day!”
Rinse and repeat.
Conversely, something simple like a good night’s sleep will impact your whole day. You wake feeling refreshed. It’s possible you’ll tackle some of your Course Correct items first thing in the morning. Because you had the energy to move your body, you’re more likely to fuel it in ways that support you and your efforts. Rested, you’re more equipped mentally, physically, and emotionally to rise to the challenges that will keep you on course. You are another day closer to your goals and feeling the self-satisfaction of caring for your needs and living from the desires of your highest self. Instead of berating yourself for your choices, you end your day at peace, knowing you did your best.
Often, we cruise along in life ignoring the very real signs from our bodies, our relationships, our circumstances, and our inner voices. Unpacking what’s NOT working in your life right now will help you when we design your course correct “M.A.P.” (My Action Plan) because you will have a very clear picture of what needs to be done.
Remember, we can’t fix what we don’t acknowledge is wrong.
My flight instructor taught me something truly valuable. After checking the plane by running my hands over it and looking closely at all the components, she advised me to always finish my pre-flight check by walking a few feet away and standing directly in front of the plane. Why? To see the big picture. Sometimes, you can miss a glaringly obvious detail when you’re in too close. Just like I do both the up close and the big picture checks with the airplane, we will do both with your life.
When I spent a long four-day weekend designing my plan to get back on track, I self-assessed. Meaning, I scanned my body from head to toe and made a list of small and large complaints. Nothing was too trivial to write down. It was my version of the “big-picture.”
Hot Tip: I will always advocate a thorough checkup with your doctor. Doing an evaluation like this can actually help you communicate the big picture of how you’re feeling to your doctor. Perhaps some blood tests can confirm underlying issues.
Assessing is a first step in deciding what you may need to address in your reset plan in order to feel your best.
How often do you really check in with yourself? In our fast paced world, it’s common for us to go-go-go, worshiping at the altar of “busy” and forgetting that we should never be too busy to tune in to what our bodies are telling us. We want to hear those whispers before they become screams. Our bodies are wonderfully communicative. What has your body been communicating to you?
Conversely, we can use substances like food and alcohol to numb out and tamp down the messages your body is trying to give you. We will discuss this more very soon. Either way, whether you’re not listening or whether you’re ignoring, you can’t fix what you don’t at least acknowledge.
To show you I’ve been right where you are now, I’ll get personal. Here’s my notes from my “official unofficial” list of issues from my pre-Course Correct assessment.
I brainstormed like a mutha’.
Assessment:
“Brain fog.” Trouble grabbing words when speaking, spaciness-lack of concentration. Noticeably dry and aging skin with more breakouts than I’d ever had and flare-ups of eczema on my hands and legs. Constant issues with teeth despite great care. Breathing shallow, particularly when anxious. Noticing anxiety much more often, particularly at night, and particularly if I’d been drinking. Alcohol seems to make it worse. PCPs – heart palpitations. Stomach issues with certain foods: dairy for sure, suspect gluten. Bloating. Aches in right side of body like arthritis (I’ve had a history of on/off positive tests for for RA), Heavy period—like scary-horror movie heavy. Pelvic floor is about at strong as a wet paper sack. I dare not sneeze and forget about jumping on a trampoline. Foot cramps. Blood tests show high cholesterol and rising triglycerides and an inexplicable kidney dysfunction. Weight gain, low energy, bad sleep, and lack of motivation. A general feeling that I’d lost my “spark” and inner-glow.
As you can see, I was brutally honest with myself. I had to be. My happiness depended on my ability to be honest about what wasn’t working. I’m going to have you do the same thing but not just yet… We’ve got some looking under the hood to do.
