The Foundation of Success is REST

Howdy everyone!  I’m getting closer to the present with my stories – which makes me a little squirmy.  As a part of my new path forward, vulnerability and openness are critical to my success, goals, and values.  I want to be honest and clear so that other people won’t feel alone when they also feel icky feelings.  It doesn’t mean I don’t still feel scared!  Bravery is not a lack of fear, though.  Bravery is recognizing the fear and standing in it anyway.  Further on the icky-feelings spectrum, shame and embarrassment might pop up here and there.  Saying my dark feelings aloud brings them into the light – they can’t fester and mold in the light.  They dissipate.  

Which brings me to your very first tool - rest.   Sleep is your NUMBER ONE priority.  We’ve been doing it since we were born and it is the most basic upgrades you can make in your life.  Prioritize your sleep schedule.  Build it into your work routine, where nothing else is scheduled during this time (this means you are not available for family functions, personal obligations, work tasks, eating, exercise, or anything other than sleeping during this time!).  If you end a shift and you don’t need the few extra hours for sleeping, then do something awesome to treat yourself.  No one died - ice cream on me!  I know it sounds impossible to predict an on-call schedule but trust me, there are always ways to build in sleep.  Tell you spouse, partner, family, and friends that this is not negotiable.  Ever.

Interested? Watch this video for more… 

In the Burnout Protocol, my mini-course for responders, I have a whole unit dedicated to sleep.  Why we need it.  What happens when we don’t get it.  What wonderful things are available when we do.  We know we need more sleep so what is keeping you from getting the sleep you need?  Having a fully functioning, rested brain is the critical foundation for our bodies to be able to perform at their peak abilities. Without sleep, it’s a lot harder to use all of the tools I’ll be sharing in the weeks to come.

Get some rest!

Kat