“Lasting happiness can and needs to be independent of our circumstances.” Marci Shimoff
In preparing to write this article, I wondered – what does prosperity even mean? I pulled out my trusty Thesaurus and my eyes were opened. Prosperity ranges from abundance to well-being, and, there were a lot of words in-between – bed of roses, benefit, good times, luxury, success, and the good life. As I scanned the list – the word that jumped out for me was thriving.
So in spite of the news we are hearing day in and day out, what are you doing to thrive? To thrive is to flourish, to bloom, to grow, to glow, and to be healthy.
Many times we think that thriving is about our financial well-being: money in the bank, a full-time job, and the latest model car. Yes, that can be a piece of the definition for us, but I believe a bigger part of the equation has to do with our self-care; what we are doing on a regular basis to take care of ourselves.
One step you can take to thrive is to honor your values. Make a list of your top 5-6 values. For you to feel on top of your game, you need to honor your values on a regular basis and do something to recognize them. Think of your values as 5-6 buckets that periodically need to be refilled. It doesn’t mean you need to live at the well, but from time to time you need to refill the bucket. You can tell when you need a refill based on the way you feel and act. If you are behaving in a way that doesn’t depict the strong, positive you and if you are feeling low – it’s probably time to do something to fill one of your buckets.
I’ve discovered that one of my values is to be connected: periodically I need to share myself deeply with a friend or colleague. There is something about a connecting conversation that makes me feel alive and back on track – thriving!
Coaching Call to Action:
What do you need to feed your soul, feed your heart, take care of you and feel alive? A walk by the ocean? Tea with a friend? Taking the time to fix a lovely, nourishing, simple meal? Taking the time to breathe and be? Getting back or forward to the simpler things in life? Think about what makes you thrive and act on it.
Andrea Novakowski is an executive and personal coach who has been helping clients align their professional goals with their personal values since 1997. She guides executives from strategic vision to measurable action plans, and works with high-potential employees seeking to move up in their careers. By tapping into Andrea's knowledge, tools and skills, clients are able to meld career development and personal growth to reach higher productivity and deeper levels of job and personal satisfaction. Learn more at www.coachandrea.com.