Coaching Corner: Staying 'hot' when it's cold!
By "Coach" Marilou Butcher Roth
Yes, it's freezing! If you are like most people, it is hard to stay motivated when all you want to do is curl up in a warm and snuggly blanket sipping a nice hot cup of tea! Hard to say how long this current cold snap will be with us so let's find some ways to keep things moving.
I love the idea of experiencing vibrance in my life, and find it especially important during the dreary and cold months we often live through during Ohio winters. When I can maintain my personal vibrance and vitality, I can weather the storm (no pun intended). Here are some tips that may work for you as well:
- Breathe deeply! Do this when you first wake up in the morning and remind yourself to continue this throughout the day. Use your lungs fully -- bring your breath all the way up from your stomach and up through your chest. You may feel the urge to open your arms or move your body -- great! We do not oxygenate our bodies anywhere near where they need to be, so bring on the big breaths!
- Move your body. This can look a number of ways -- find what works best for you. Stretching in the morning and mid-afternoon can get the blood flowing nicely. Combining that with your deep breathing is highly beneficial. Doing some type of cardio exercise at a minimum of three times per week will bring you greater heart health, reduce stress and help with any unwanted pounds. You may have a sport that you love during the summer that you are waiting patiently to enjoy again when the weather warms up. Can you find another activity that might fit the bill? Racquetball has become my husband's favorite and can be done year round!
- Be more aware of making your plan for the day. It can be easy to just want to burrow in during the colder months of the year, so it is even more important to plan your day. Some people fare better with evening planning for the next day, while others prefer this activity first thing in their work day.
- Before you jump into your work day, take a few minutes at a minimum just for you. You may want to spend some time sitting quietly, letting thoughts float easily through your mind. There are countless ways to create your own “me†time, and I strongly suggest doing just that before you move into your work day.
- Make plans for fun/social time. Check out new movies or restaurants. See what is happening around you that you would enjoy. It is much easier during the winter to go into default mode and just turn on the TV. Your city has so much to offer. Just as you plan your work day, plan your fun time as well.
These are just a few ways that may help you to stay motivated and energized this winter, and I would love to hear other ways that you have found helpful.
Marilou Butcher Roth
Marilou Butcher Roth is the owner of The MBR Group, a coaching and training company working primarily with REALTORS who have a desire to work and live from a more inspired place. She is also the Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati.
Marilou is a member of the Ohio REALTORS Board of Directors and past chairman of the organization’s Communications Committee.
