Have you been feeling overwhelmed, a little extra stressed, or burned out lately? 

With the on-going pandemic and the hustle and bustle of the holiday season on top of the everyday stressors and responsibilities of life and work, it can all feel a bit much. 

What if I told you that the key to finding more success and setting yourself up for long-term growth is actually slowing down? (Hint: It is). 

Crazy, right!?

I know it might sound counterintuitive, but I’ve spent a lot of time over the past year learning the science behind this idea of slowing down to speed up. I’ve witnessed first hand the positive impact of getting a good night’s sleep, taking care of my health, and actually slowing down. (It sounds obvious right? It is, but as Brendon Burchard says, “Common knowledge isn’t always common practice.”) Looking back, I can really see how making these things a priority really led me to transform my mindset in ways that allowed me to level up my business and simply feel better. 

Trust me, I know how hard it is to step away and take a break (even though it’s essential to long-term growth). I know how easy it is to get swept up in being plugged in 24/7. I can honestly say that slowing down does not come easily for me, but I also feel it getting easier and easier the more I see the benefits reflecting in my business and personal life. 

And I want you to be able to do the same in your life and in your business. I want you to relish in this epiphany as you experience the positive impact for yourself. 

I recently invited performance physiologist Dr. Greg Wells to the IHML Show to talk about his research on mindset and human performance… and WOW. Even though I’ve been following his work for a while now, I continue to be blown away by his stories and the science behind why it’s important that we slow down and take time to recover. If you’re someone who, like me, loves knowing the why behind something, I encourage you to listen to this episode. 

While the episode is filled with more insight, knowledge, and advice than I could ever fit into a blog post (I guess you’ll just have to listen to soak up all of its goodness ? ),  I wanted to share with you Dr. Greg’s 1-2-3 rule that can help you slow down and recharge so, ultimately, you can open the door for more success in your life…

Step 1: One hour a day.

Spend one hour a day free of technology while you do something that makes your life better. Do something that brings your joy and helps you grow. This can really be anything. He suggests meditation, yoga, walking, taking a hot bath, reading a book– literally whatever works for you. 

Step 2: Two days a month.

Choose two days a month and commit to turning off your devices. There’s a lot to be gained from a complete tech free weekend. Not only will you be more present, but think of all the time you will have if you are not mindlessly scrolling through your phone, habitually checking your email, or constantly being distracted by ping notifications. 

Step 3: Three weeks a year.

Choose three weeks a year that you will completely unplug from work and technology and take a real vacation. It might sound scary to be away from work for that long, but it will force you to recognize the power in automation and delegation (and realize that the world won’t end without you there and help you establish systems that will ultimately allow you to grow). You’ll return totally recharged and in the mindset needed to elevate what you’re doing in life and business. 

And as a little bonus (and because it’s so important to me to help you live your best life), here’s one of my other favorite takeaways from our conversation… 

Surround yourself with nature.

Nature is so beneficial for our mental health and is a great way to shift our mindset. So, strive to get outside whenever you can, whether you go out for a walk, take a trip to the beach, or head to the mountains– hey, even something small like putting plants in your office or using a picture of nature as your screen saver can make a difference!

I know you have big dreams. The truth is, maintaining a sustainable business, building long-term success, achieving your long-term goals– none of it will be possible if you don’t give yourself the time and space to recharge. 

I want you to lay the foundation for those dreams — and you can start today. Start by making that 1% change. You’ll be surprised how much one small change will compound over time and lead to those BIG results you’ve been craving.  

Remember, there’s no time like the present.