Are You Committed?

Start a list of all the things and beliefs you are committed to. Really get out a sheet of paper and write them ALL down-- the beliefs you hold, the things you do, the people you know.

I dare you. On your mark, get set, go!

Now, check out your list. Are YOU on it at all? How much of your time and energy are spent on commitments to yourself — your health and wellbeing, your personal growth and development, your own R & R?

Chances are that commitments to yourself are a very small percentage of where you allocate your resources. The truth is, as women we generally put ourselves last on the list (or pretty close to it, anyway). Lest you think I am any better, I actually get busy enough that I literally forget to eat. How's that for putting yourself last?

In fact, by putting ourselves so low on the list, we may be shooting ourselves in the foot in terms of success. Studies show that successful leaders hold two commitments as the basis of their success: commitment to a set of values, principles and beliefs, and commitment to oneself, including self-growth and personal development. By taking care of ourselves, we grow in our self-confidence, which in part fuels our success by measurably improving our ability to support and give credit to others. You will support your customers and colleagues more effectively and get better results — without becoming that B-word we all dread being called.

But, what does committing to yourself look like? It means taking the time to celebrate your accomplishments and successes, to play, to dream, to learn, to experience joy in your daily life. Feeding our bodies and feeding our souls a healthy diet is a huge part of committing to ourselves. Go out and dance, jump rope, get a massage, take a hot bath, laugh with your girlfriends, hug your kids, sing at the top of your lungs, read a book, take a nap, eat a cookie, enjoy a piña colada in the sun in your backyard, run around in the rain!

I dare you to give yourself permission to make your own self a top priority in your life. Make a list of things that make you feel terrific, and then promise yourself you will do at least 3 of those things every day. You will see a difference.

I promise.

Deb Vincent Evans, aka Princess Geek, in her current expression of who she is, practices massage therapy at Stability Therapeutic Massage and is an educational technology consultant at Princess Geek, Guidess to the Technoverse. She lives on Fallen Apple Farm in Halfmoon with her partner, the Magicman, and her kids, horses, dogs and other assorted small beings that call her mom.

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