I've been talking about the 7 keys to accomplishing your work and enjoying your life based on one of my favorite books on weight control called Weight Loss the Jabez Way: 7 Keys to Adding Years to Your Life by Scott Conrad, MD. I hope you are being more conscious about breathing, drinking, sleeping, eating, and exercising! I know writing about it has certainly helped me -- can I still improve? For sure!
In this week's podcast I want to talk about the final two keys: relationships and purpose.
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Podcast Transcript
I've been talking about the 7 Keys to accomplishing your work and enjoying your life based on one of my favorite books on weight control called Weight Loss the Jabez Way: 7 Keys to Adding Years to Your Life by Scott Conrad, MD. He defines the seven keys as:
1. Air
2. Water
3. Sleep
4. Food
5. Exercise
6. Relationships
7. Purpose
I hope you are being more conscious about breathing, drinking, sleeping, eating, and exercising! I know writing about it has certainly helped me -- can I still improve? For sure!
Today I want to talk about what I believe are the two most important keys: relationships and purpose. I say that they are the most important because if you care about relationships and purpose, you will have to improve the other five to support your efforts!
6) Relationships
In the busy world in which we live, it's SO easy to be reactive to everything that is happening in our personal and professional lives, and neglect being proactive about the relationships that are truly important to us. Not only do we need to be clear about what relationships are important to us, but we also need to identify what specific actions and behaviors we will implement to ensure their continuing growth.
I'm convinced that one of the biggest stumbling blocks to healthy relationships in today's world is technology. It is so sad to me to see a couple sitting at dinner with one of them glued to their smart phone. If you truly want to honor someone you love, invite them to a meal at their favorite restaurant with the caveat, "My phone will be turned off!"
A great question to ask someone you care about is one I learned from my coach Dan Sullivan: "What has to happen 3 years from now for you to feel happy with your progress?" Then set out to see what you can do to help them get there!
7) Purpose
In his book Losing Weight the Jabez Way, Dr. Conard tells about a patient who gained a large amount of weight in a few short months. He asked her what had been going on in her life, and soon discovered that she had graduated from college, and hadn't been able to find the job she wanted as a physical therapist. Like so many of us when we are coping with stress or frustration, she was overeating. Dr. Conard suggested that she begin living her life with the purpose of "being a physical therapist with a great job."
As I shared in an earlier podcast, my mom is in a nursing home almost totally bedridden, and she has said her purpose is to encourage other people -- which, as I am with her this week, I see she does daily!
As for me, my purpose is to continually give other people hope by living my life in such a way that they see the light of Jesus in me. Am I always successful? Hardly! But I'll keep trying as long as God gives me life on this earth.
So here's my challenge for you this week! During this busy season, make sure you take time to nurture your relationships with the people who really matter to you. And before the new year launches, spend some quiet time thinking about your purpose -- why did God create you, and what are you doing about it?
Post your comments or questions in the comments area of this episode at barbarahemphill.com.
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Until next week, I'm Barbara Hemphill. Thanks for listening!
