Getting Unstuck

      

By Robert Allen M.ED., M.DIV., MC.HML., BCC.,CPC-I

Robert was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He is a leadership professional and author with multiple advanced degrees in the areas of business, counseling, divinity, healthcare, and leadership. Robert has served in various industries, from education, military, law enforcement, business, mental health, and ministry. Robert also serves as a board-certified chaplain and growth coach helping everyday people, leaders, and companies maximize their talents and gifts by engaging them through self-care training and retreats, one-on-ones, as well as leadership and coaching sessions. Robert has had great success in helping other by infusing unique skills learned through both professional and life experiences, trainings in various niches of coaching, leadership development, and counseling. He prides himself on being personable, relatable, and genuinely loving people. Robert enjoys spending time with his wife, kids, family and friends, playing games, camping, cooking, watching college football and playing competitive sports. Robert Allen M.ED., M.DIV., MC.HML., BCC.,CPC-I   Getting unstuck The past two years have been interesting to say the least. Navigating through the ups-and-downs, the opening and closing of businesses, economical and supply chain woes, complexities of life,  the canceling of events and activities have simply been devasting. The emotion roller coaster people have been feeling even this holiday season, a season that typically brings joy and cheer, did not seem the same. Who would have ever thought we would be here again, at the height of yet another covid spike. I certainly didn’t.. Various colleagues, employees, friends and family have reached out and asked, how do you suppose we get through this time. My answer was consistent. While we certainly can’t change some of the things that goes on around us, we do have the ability to change is how we respond, which my answer is consistent, to take care of ourselves. We must not only Start the Conversation about Self-care, but now we have to implement our plan for self-care.    Sometimes the best and worst of times can co-exist. While the situation may not be ideal, the time we have to focus on ourselves is precious. Before Covid, many of us would work, work two jobs, fill every waking moment going and doing. During a time such as this we find ourselves exhausted, tired, and for some even bored and isolated. For those who are working overtime and extended hours due to being essential workers, I say make time for you. Self-care doesn’t have to be the elaborate plan of all or nothing, but could also be 10, 15, or 20 minutes of meaningful time carved out to simply breathe and decompress. Take time to RETREAT in the moment and REFLECT (the first two pillars as discussed in Self-care Let’s Start the Conversation). It is important that we understand, that self-care as I have defined it is whatever fills your cup in your most needful space, which essentially means self-care is progressive. This said, during that 10, 15, or 20 minutes do that which would fill your cup. For some it may be meditation or yoga, for others a walk, sitting in silence or listening to music. Simple changes to even how we spend our lunches and breaks can make all the difference in our mood and attitude.      For those who are not working extended hours and have more time, again my message is consistent. Make the time to invest in you, in your self-care. You matter, and you have to begin to make you a priority. This is not a proclamation to not take care of necessary responsibilities, but rather charging you to reevaluate how you expend your energy. When you look over your day, week, and month, what absolutely needs your attention. What things are you doing out of habit, guilt, or otherwise? Many people that I talk to or counsel all say I don’t have time. However, when I asked them to map out there day, week, and month doing a basics needs assessment. 99% of the time they find task and things that they can either eliminate or adjust to make a significant amount of time for themselves. This is why I stress to most people the first two R’s or the four R’s ( Self-care Let’s Start the Conversation) are critical as it allows one to get away and start the reflecting process with no distractions. In addition many people including me often fail, to slow down enough to ask ourselves those tough questions like Do I need to do this? Should I do this? and can I use this time more wisely? Also, how to exercise the power of NO and NO NOT AT THIS TIME.   When we make ourselves a priority, we will definitely make the time needed. What we do with that precious gift of time should be meaningful. As aforementioned the time is indeed now to invest in you. If you have not gotten your copy of Self-care Let’s Start the Conversation and the 12-week Journal please go to https://www.rwallenbooks.com and order today. Also, my new book Word of the Day (see image below) which was created to help people become their best selves by helping them understand “Words” have power and can shift the trajectory of how we think, feel, and speak. When we are still and understand the duality of singular words, their meaning, and how they impact our lives, we are able activate the positive ability for the life we truly desire.   Please when placing your order use discount promo code DND.   Website: https://www.rwallenbooks.com Book: Self-care Let’s Start the Conversation Instagram & Facebook: rwallenbooks Email info@rwallenbooks.com for bulk orders, trainings, and retreats