What kind of habits have you developed in your life? Would you describe them as "good" or "bad"? Do they enhance your life or limit it?  Your lifestyle and work-style habits make or break the quality of your life. The bottom line is that your balance sheet tomorrow is going to reflect the habits you developed and the choices you "banked" yesterday and today.

You may have already discovered that it isn't always easy to identify good and bad habits. For example, developing habits that provide rich rewards professionally (working late too many nights each week) may cost you more than they are worth personally. You can often avoid physical and relational crisis by developing a few positive, consistent habits that demonstrate your commitment to a rewarding personal life as well as a rewarding sales career. 

These three steps can help you develop more positive habits in your life: start with the end in mind, list your assets and liabilities, and follow through on small change steps.

Start with the end in mind

You're retiring or your kids are grown. How do you want to feel physically? Which relationships do you still want in your life? Think about it now, because it will be here faster than you know. Take an inventory of your health today to decide which lifestyle or relationship habits to break and which to develop or maintain. 

Set up an appointment for a well doctor's visit and/or a fitness profile at a nearby hospital or health club. The results of these visits will identify where you need to begin and how far you have to go. Within one week of our PSA (Professional Sales Association) meeting, a salesperson contacted me to say the doctor's visit was already done, and new choices were beginning immediately. (I love proactive people!) 

List Your Assets and Liabilities

What are the rewards of your business? What makes it worth the large investment of time and energy? Money can't be the only answer. Many wealthy people are unhealthy, lonely and spiritually void. Your profession or product represented needs to fulfill a passion or purpose worthy of unusual amounts of effort. Being in the sales profession has some built-in liabilities. Long hours, eating out frequently, entertaining, irregular sleeping patterns and working solo (sometimes out of your home) contribute to a fatigued mind and body. Healthy habits can minimize the toll. 

Follow through on small steps

Following through on small steps to healthier living is more important than making grand commitments to change everything at once. Small choices create the health and balance you are craving. For instance, find three or four local restaurants with "heart healthy" menus so you can eat out by yourself or with customers frequently without sabotaging your eating habits. Get a massage instead of making those four more calls. Take a spontaneous walk with your children or grandchildren. Park farther away on your next appointment. Pull over and take a power nap (Val suggests opening the windows enough for some fresh air). All of these small change steps add up to greater emotional and physical health.

Kate Larsen works with people who want to simplify their life and take charge of their health-physically, emotionally, interpersonally, financially, & spiritually. She also works with organizations wanting their people to do more with less stress. For information on how to consult with Kate or for her to speak to your organization contact her at : 612 943-1430 or email:  kate@katelarsen.com

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