The Core

core

Photo courtesy of Nicholas_T

 

In the exercise world, your core is one of the most important areas of the body to strengthen. If your core is strong, much of the rest of your physical wellbeing will follow. As I was reminded of from a coaching client last week, the muscle you build doesn’t just remain that way. It takes continued work to grow. He happens to be going thru rehab on his knee. The physical therapist he uses advised him that during his time of post-surgery recovery, sitting on the couch, he lost muscle. Wow! It was only 30 days or so. By the way, this guy is in great shape. 

How does this apply to the core in your life?

As I’ve advised in writing, and in the flesh, your life’s core is even more vital than what I described above. Your life’s core is made up of some things you’re familiar with. It includes your mind, your spirit, your emotions, your physical, etc. They are your sustainers (as I like to call them) and they are the measure of who you Really are. Sorry, if you were thinking being the CEO of the next WhatsApp would be the difference maker. Kinda ironic in an age where many aspire and pursue that. The truth is found in something(s) not seen.

What happened to our core strength?

Outward signs of success are sweetly seductive. They whisper, they sigh, they touch, and above all they promise. All this to lure you into a net very difficult to escape. My friends, most don’t escape. It’s too risky to escape. To be left with a life like:

  • Outward and inward struggles to regain a life left in the wardrobe
  • Failing, again and again
  • Loneliness
  • Awakening to see real worth
  • Finding out who really is for you
  • Seeing people through the lens of love
  • Life over the sun

Isn’t it interesting how those first few bullets, daunting as they are, lead to what we’ve dreamed of? My experience shows you can’t have the last 4, without the first 3. That’s the difference.

I won’t give you some list of all the things necessary to strengthen your life’s core. You need to figure that out for yourself. You can seek counsel from me or someone else, but you’re the one calling the shots That’s the only way it will be authentic. I can give you one secret, though:

Start paying attention and do what you know you need to do.

Did You Mean My Life?-Update 2011

Wanted to revisit this post for personal clarity and encouragement for you.  Enjoy!

As I've watched my life twist and turn since I began Epic Living, I haven't always embraced the idea of where it was leading.  Maybe because of the surprises (good and bad) that have come my way. 

Ryan Bettencourt of Learn From My Life relayed a story to me, on the radio show, about Daniel Pink.  Daniel made it clear that life was not linear.  Instinctively, we would agree with him.  Who has had a life that lived straight?  Not me.

This past weekend the difference between my work and my life was illustrated vividly. 

I met people at a picnic that seemed to know me even though we'd never met.  Call it destiny or serendipity, but it was clear I was meant to connect.  God is a wonderful writer. So many of my experiences being honed to manifest something beautiful.  As mentioned before, I couldn't have predicted or scripted such encounters. 

OK, I know I'm being vague/cryptic.  The people I met were a part of an organization that I've agreed to help on a long term basis.  Obviously, I will reveal more at a later date.  But this post is not about me.  It's about you and your life.

If you spend your time (who knows how much you've been given) working on work, more than likely your life will evaporate.  Many are doing this now and fooling themselves into believing that a promotion or the number of direct reports validates.  It doesn't.  A simple deception that occurs with every tick of the clock.  By the way many employers are complicit here.

In the movie A Good Year, Russell Crowe's character Max is asked by the CEO what would he choose.  He said; "What'll it be Max, the money or your life?"  You could intertwine money and work on that statement.  Check out the movie and you'll know what I mean.

The following are some things to swallow regarding life and work:

  •     Valuing life first will lead to success beyond your wildest dreams
  •     Valuing life leads to redefining success.
  •     Seeing work as a tool to find a great life is a wise approach.
  •     Your employer will eventually struggle to remember you.
  •     Those who love you are screaming (most of the time silently) for your attention.