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3 Steps To Quickly Change Your Life
by Dr. David L. Wick, D.C.
Our fast-paced world keeps getting faster. Technology allows us high-speed internet, e-mail, instant messages, and more. Wires? Fuhgeddaboudit! Wi-Fi may be found conveniently just about anywhere you are. It seems that being "tethered" is a thing of the past. Mobile phones, handheld computers and "mobile offices" are everywhere. Just about every kind of food is now either delivered or quickly obtained through a drive-through window. All of these things feed the "I need that by yesterday" mentality. Though the pace of life is quickening, the changes of life tend to be more gradual. Though technology changes the way healthcare is delivered, the body needs a chance to progress at its inborn pace. That is the only way long-lasting life changes can occur.
"But aren't there some quick ways I can change my life?"
Yes there are.
Step One: Slow Down
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It seems counterintuitive that people should slow down in a fast-paced society, but that is exactly what is needed to provide the best health for your body. If you constantly "keep your nose to the grindstone," you'll eventually grind it right off! When you constantly push your body, it's a lot like driving with your pedal down to the floor. You might get away with that for a while, but eventually you're going to need to re-fuel. That is, you'll re-fuel if you don't blow your engine first!
Yes, though it might seem selfish, spending time taking care of yourself is one of the best things you can do. As a matter of fact, time well spent on yourself is one of the finest gifts you can give someone else. If you don't take care of yourself, how do you expect to care for anyone else? You cannot give what you do not have. Invest in yourself and you'll have plenty left over to give to others.
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Now I'm not espousing the "tortoise" approach all of the time, but remember that you occasionally need to slow your pace if you want to "win the race."
Slowing down with a mission seems to allow for the best rejuvenation. It also provides you a chance to recollect yourself and figure out the best course of action. These are the times I refer to as "appointments with self." Just as you make high-priority or urgent "unbreakable" appointments with others, these need to be high-priority, high-urgency "unbreakable" appointments with yourself. Keep these appointments religiously and use that time wisely.
There are many consequences for going too fast. When we continually drive our cars too fast or too aggressively, we wear out the cars faster. The same is true of our bodies. Continually living the fast-paced lifestyle of multitasking and exertion creates a wide array of negative emotional, biochemical and physical effects. People in the fast-paced stressful lifestyle frequently present to doctors with symptoms of adrenal fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders and a host of other things that could so easily be prevented. As the old proverb declares, "better an once of prevention than a pound of cure." It's much easier to prevent the effects of the fast-paced lifestyle than it is to "pick up the pieces" after the effects have taken their tolls.
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It's a wonderful thing to transcend the boundaries of perceived human limitations. That's why we're all so inspired by stories like those of the great Olympians. Each athlete who competes in "the Games" has to perform at unbelievably high standards just to get there. If one of them manages to obtain the gold medal, this is an indicator of tremendous accomplishment. That person just pushed beyond the boundaries--way beyond.
Still, it is wise to set certain limits for oneself when it comes to time and activity. Know what your boundaries should be and do not let anything cross them. Set those limits and liberally use the word "NO!" to anything that creeps up to them.
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Carefully set your limits, and don't unnecessarily keep yourself from reaching your high potential. Know those limits that will allow you to be the best that you can be.
Do you know how the Department of Transportation sets the speed limits on our roadways? Many factors are considered and the final limits are based on:
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Road type and condition
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Location and type of access points (intersections, entrances, etc.)
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Sufficient length of roadway (1/4 mile minimum)
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Existing traffic control devices (signs, signals, etc.)
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Crash history
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Traffic volume
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Sight distances (curve, hill, etc.)
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Test drive results
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Speed study
"The most important part of the traffic investigation is the speed study.... A technical analysis is done on the results to determine the 85th percentile.... Experience has shown that a posted speed limit near this value is the maximum safe and reasonable speed. Studies have shown that traveling much faster or slower than this value can increase your chances of being in a crash." (Source: Speed limit brochure by Mn/DOT)
By taking time to study conditions, Mn/DOT sets the limits based on what they perceive the safest conditions to be. When you take time to study your conditions, you will have better chances at best determining your potentials. Take time to slow down, study your activities and choose those that will help you best achieve your mission and goals. If you haven't written a mission statement and goals for yourself, now is a good time to start. Help for writing a mission statement is available on the FranklinCovey website.
Slowing down while driving is an exceptionally good idea too. With the "Toward Zero Deaths" initiative in place, Minnesota's law enforcement is cracking down on violators of our state's laws. They are doing this with good reason. Thankfully, 2005 showed us the fewest number of crashes on Minnesota roadways since the mid-1960s. Unfortunately, the accidents in 2005 resulted in 559 deaths and 37,686 injuries. Of all the accidents, 161 deaths and 6,302 injuries were caused by illegal/unsafe speeds. (Source: 2005 Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Mn/DOT) It is conceivable that following speed laws could've saved those lives.
It is certainly true that speeding helps to save some travel times. Consider the following time savings for trips 25 miles or less:
(Source: MN State Patrol/Dakota County Sheriff)
Bear in mind that the majority of daily trips are less than 25 miles. If you're speeding, how much time are you saving by breaking the law?
Unfortunately, traveling faster also costs some reaction time and increases stopping distances. That is part of the reason why you hear racecar drivers talk about the narrowing of the track at higher speeds. The faster you go, the less room you have for error. Consider the following:
(Source: MN State Patrol/Dakota County Sheriff)
To put things into perspective, consider that when stopping at 70 mph, it takes you 1 1/2 football fields to do so!
Keeping a fast pace has its costs. If you are caught, you will pay. Click here for a partial list of 2006 fines supplied to me by the Ramsey County Sheriff. Once again, an ounce of prevention.... Following the law not only provides you with a maximum of safety, it also saves on the wear of your car, reduces stress, and keeps more money in your wallet. During those extra moments you spend driving, why not breathe deeply and enjoy the journey?
"A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools."
--Spanish Proverb
Step Two: Pay Attention
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The quick-paced nature of our lives can often result in the costs of distractions. When you are so caught up in multitasking that you lose attention for the important things, you will pay a hefty price. Focus divided is not focus at all.
When you pay more attention to the present moment, you will likely find much more joy in your life and more relief of stresses. Rather than regretting the past or fretting the future, enjoy your PRESENT. The present is a wonderful gift that should be treasured. For more information on how you can "unwrap your present," click here.
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Pay attention to what matters most, considering that your focus magnifies. Magnify stressors and guess what you get? More stressors...magnified! Likewise, magnify those things that you appreciate and you will find much more of those things. When it comes to our thought lives, I like the words of Philippians 4:8; "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (NIV) Yes, my friends, think about such things.
As with controlling speed, attention pays dividends while driving. One of my favorite jokes is as follows:
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I tell you, women drivers are a hazard to traffic. Driving to work this morning on the freeway, I looked over to my left and there was a woman in a Mustang doing 65 miles per hour with her face up next to her rear view mirror putting on her eyeliner!
I looked away for a couple seconds and when I looked back she was halfway over in my lane.
It scared me so bad I dropped my electric shaver in my coffee, and it spilled all over my cell phone! |
Yes, distractions have spilled over into the world of driving, and with some serious costs. In 2005, crashes due to driver inattention resulted in 98 deaths and 11,422 injuries. (Source: 2005 Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Mn/DOT) Some level of inattention could be linked to several other classifications of accidents as well. Who knows what the totals would be if all accidents linked to inattention were accounted for?
Another important time to pay attention is if you choose to consume alcoholic beverages. While I am not an advocate of alcohol consumption under any circumstance, I realize that many people will consume alcoholic beverages on some occasions. If you are one of those, please pay special attention to how much alcohol you consume and never drive under the influence. In Minnesota, if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is greater than .05, you can be arrested. A level of .10 ensures that your license will automatically be revoked. To get a better idea of how much (or how little) alcohol it takes to impair your driving abilities, click here.
In all of life, if you're going to "drive," pay attention!
Focus: What is the best possible thing for me to be doing at this time?
"Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is the probable reason why so few engage in it."
--Henry Ford
Step Three: Give "the Other Guy" Some Room
"To err is human, to forgive divine."
--Alexander Pope
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As long as we are engaged in human relationships, we will invariably have some snags. Rather than letting these things escalate to anger or stress, be proactive. You have a choice in how you will react. Make a plan and act on it. As discussed before, know your boundaries and respect them, but also leave some room for "error."
Drivers are invariably taught the "three-second rule." In driving, the rule states that we should "choose a fixed reference point at the side of the road ahead such as a telephone pole, signpost, tree, or bridge. When the vehicle ahead of you passes the reference point, begin counting: 'One-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three.' If you pass the reference point before you are through counting, you are following too closely." (Source: Minnesota Drivers Manual, 2006 edition) By following the three-second rule in driving, you leave just enough room to react and stop, with little room to spare. Healthy use of the rule may result in fewer crashes.
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In case you were wondering, in 2005, 14 deaths and 3,699 injuries were caused by accidents where drivers followed too closely. (Source: 2005 Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Mn/DOT) By the way, did you know that you can be fined for improper following distance? (Click here to see the fee)
In relationships, the three-second rule also comes in handy. It can give you the time to breathe deep and consider your best reaction to whatever stimulus you're presented with. In that three-second disconnection from reaction, you can evaluate how important the issue is. It helps if you've already used the exercises described in this related article on stress. By incorporating "the Work" into your life, you may find the relational room that is healthiest for you and those you care about.
"People need love, especially when they don't deserve it."
--Unknown
Tying It All Together
It is true that there is no single lifestyle answer that suits everyone. Just the same, application of the three steps above will help you greatly as you adapt them to your life. Take some time to slow down, pay attention and give "the other guy" some room and you will quickly find yourself in greater control of your life and living at higher levels of satisfaction.
©Copyright 2006 Dr. David L. Wick, D.C. All rights reserved.
This article is not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of any illness. Diagnosis and treatment of all health conditions should only be performed by your doctor of chiropractic or other licensed health care professional. Please use this article for informational purposes only. This information does not replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare provider.
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