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Reverse this cycle, change your life.
99-SECOND READ
'Be prepared to ride the cycles and trends of life; success is never permanent, and failure is never final.'
Brian Tracy
Life is full of self-reinforcing cycles - they can be negative or positive.
One cycle can cause stress, frustration and burnout or facilitate good health, positivity and happiness. The negative version looks something like this:
Go to bed late
Wake up feeling tired
Start your day on the back foot, with little or no time for yourself
Spend your day rushing, not as fully organised, more easily distracted, more likely to procrastinate or scroll social media, performing well below your best
Eat badly, snack, don't exercise much, don't feel very energised
Work feels harder and your day seems more stressful
Finish work late
Eat late
Spend your evening in unfulfilling ways - use TV, media or alcohol to switch off
Don't feel present with yourself or your partner
Wind down late
Go to bed late
Repeat.
In summary, when we consistently go to bed late, we don't get enough of the sleep we need - particularly the pre-midnight sleep (for more info read or listen to the incredible book Why We Sleep). This impacts our mood, performance, food cravings, decision-making, and energy levels.
So many of my clients worked with me in 2023 to break this pattern, to reverse and to start a new one. We devised specific solutions that worked for them; the results were incredible. The positive cycles they created looked something like this:
Go to bed on time - usually by 10 pm
Wake up earlier, feeling fresher
Start the day calmly, consciously - with activities like stretching, a cup of tea on the sofa, journaling, a short walk, an exercise routine, meditation, quality time with their child.
Start work on time, feeling calm, organised and focused
Run the day smoothly, eating consciously, taking short breaks, making time for exercise
Finish work on time, feeling satisfied and able to switch off
Eat on time
Spend your evening in healthy or fulfilling ways
Feel present alone or with their partner
Wind down early
Go to bed early…
Repeat.
Early birds don't just catch the worm - they sing louder, fly higher and live longer more joyful lives.
Saying all this is one thing, doing it is another. Give it a go, if you struggle, don't worry, it's quite straightforward when you go through the coaching process.
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'I had a true breakthrough session with Simon. In just our first session together, he was able to identify the root fears blocking me and through his thought-provoking questions helped me come up with a solution to break that pattern.
I wasn't expecting this level of breakthrough in my first session with him, but was very pleasantly surprised! HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM to help unlock your highest potential!'
- Shreya - Management Consultant, London
Written by Simon Tomkins
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