It may be time to RAMP up

Nearly 400,000 people infected by the coronavirus in the US. Every day there are more people contracting the virus and more deaths reported. The news sounds bleak. We can get all the bad news we need 24×7, so what can we do? Hunker down and let the fear consume us or ramp up and take advantage of new opportunities?

I suggest we change our focus and RAMP Up.

Several years ago, my son was angry at me for not letting him do something. To get him out of his funk and get his body moving, I decided we would take a walk to the store together and pick up a newspaper.

During that trip I was trying every dad trick I knew to get him to loosen up and start talking. I told him a joke that fell flat, I asked him about school and his friends, and received the typical one-word responses from a 12-year-old. Nothing seemed to work. Finally, after several attempts to engage him, I asked “How do you think the (New Jersey) Devils will do this year?” (his favorite hockey team). It was as if I turned his power switch on. He could not wait to tell me his thoughts about his favorite sport and favorite team. He was animated and talkative for the rest of our walk.

What happened? What shifted son’s attitude and engagement? I simply changed his focus.

 

What are you focusing on as you go about your day during these stressful times? I want you to consider turning off the news and RAMPing up:

R.A.M.P. = Rituals (that is positive), Active (stuck in home, but move), Mindset (Control the information and manage your emotions), Purpose/Priorities (Remember what is most important)

 

R = Rituals/routines (or habits) – are your daily rituals serving you or keeping you from being your best? The new work from home experience is new for many of us, including a very short 5-minute walk to our workspace. Are you taking advantage of the extra time you gained from not having a commute or have your rituals changed to where you sleep in and work all day in your PJs? Start a new morning ritual tomorrow. It might include a) arising early, b) Take time to read c) Review your goals d) Meditate or pray e) Get some exercise.

Is it time to evaluate your rituals?

 

A = Active  – Include movement and personal growth in your day. Start by moving throughout the day. At least 10 minutes every hour. Some people’s idea of exercise is double-clicking their mouse button. I am talking about standing up, stretching, cleaning up your workspace, or going for a walk. Get that blood circulating and the oxygen flowing to your brain. Keep your mind active by learning new things and building new skills. For example, I started taking an online speedreading class, I told myself I never had time for it before.

Being active will make you feel better and help manage your stress. What activities can you incorporate into your day?

M = Mindset – controlling your focus and manage your attitude and emotions. How do you do that? First, limit your news intake (negative information). Secondly, as Tony Robbins taught me, ask yourself effective questions such as: “Who and what am I grateful for in my life right now?” We all have things to be grateful for and focusing on them will instantly shift our mindset. Other questions include, “What’s really great in my life right now?” or “What’s one thing I could do that will have a major impact on my business or my life 12 months from now?” or “Who do I love and who loves me?”

 

Those questions can change your perspective and attitude immediately. Limit your news intake.

 

P = Purpose (or priorities): What is your purpose and most important priorities? After the Coronavirus issues calm down and we get back to normal there will still be some serious financial impacts to businesses and families in our country. Just remember your purpose. These times are challenging and difficult for us all, and at the end of this, many of us may financially impacted. It is important to remember, you can always make more money, however you can’t always recover from poor health, or broken relationships.

 

In summary: Take time now to Ramp Up during this unique opportunity of social distancing. Care for yourself and others by improving your:

Rituals (habits)

Activities (movement and personal growth)

Mindset

Purpose/priorities (make time for those you care about)

 

What are you doing to become a better version of yourself? Share your thoughts and comments below.

 

For more ideas go to our website: www.RampUpMyLife.com