As a child coming from a lower socioeconomic background, I grew up noticing that the few people my family knew at the time who were what I perceived as “successful” all had one common trait; they were generally more peaceful and they were all “readers” (I noticed they had home libraries and always had books lying around that they were reading).
It was later, while I was a university student, that I realised that studying and reading had an impact on one’s soul. I learnt that education of the mind is one of the many gateways to the soul. Most educators (tutors, lecturers and professors) were generally great thinkers and very peaceful people when compared to other professions that did not involve education… interesting. This was my very first discovery into soul nourishment.
It was in later years that I discovered other ways, and many of them far more effective ways, to nourish one’s soul such as meditation, prayer, travelling, conversation in ideal settings (I enjoy meetings in amazing locations and in fact only buy businesses in locations I find inspiring) and exercise.
Thus, if we want to be peaceful and happy, we must incorporate many of these activities into our lives each day, otherwise we may inadvertently fall into the “stress trap” (also called “the rut”). Soul nourishment is a habit like anything else that we bring into our lives so we need to know how to create a new habit (it can take up to 30 days to do this).
As we move into the upcoming New Year, consider the new habits through which you will enrich your life.
Then, I encourage you to follow the system that I have found to be the most effective when creating a new habit:
- Decide on the habit I want to bring into my daily life and make a commitment to someone (for example; my wife or my coach);
- Take action. I like to write down the habit on my desk so I can see it many times a day; I also like to write it in my diary to remind me (many a time I’ll schedule it in a particular time slot);
- Do this every day for at least 21 to 30 days consciously. It is at this stage it becomes unconscious. Whilst doing this, I raise my awareness to the benefits of this new habit, so I attach pleasure to this new activity to reinforce this new behaviour; and
- I share with others what I am now doing – this creates further commitment to myself to continue.
So, how about starting one of the below soul enriching habits each month for the next 6 months? Think about where your quality of life would be.
- Reading for 30 minutes per day – a book that contains great thinking (motivational author, biography, wealth creation, spiritual);
- Meditating for 10-20 minutes twice a day (especially with a background of relaxing music such as nature sounds);
- Pray for 10-20 minutes- perhaps incorporated with your meditation;
- Meetings in inspirational locations with interesting people creating stimulating conversations – overlooking the beach or parklands;
- Exercise – creating a daily routine of jogging or walking or sprinting or team sports activities.
Rest assured that we live in amazing times and in a great country where the opportunity for personal and professional development is available to all. Accept the challenge that you can progress in your career, business, and wealth creation and at the same time, enjoy the journey of developing your mind and soul. Remember the famous words of Henry Ford “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, either way you are right”.
On behalf of SOL Results, I wish you a very merry Christmas and an enjoyable and prosperous New Year.
We look forward to seeing you in 2015!
Live with passion, purpose and always be at peace.
Stan Kontos
