Dai Manuel's Whole Life Fitness Manifesto. Dai Manuel

Dai Manuel's Whole Life Fitness Manifesto

file]

[no image in epub file]

The Power Of Human Connection

Human connection is an incredibly powerful motivator. In the past, our ancestors valued human touch and close interactions with one another. This need for empathetic touch remains important today. For example, studies have shown that babies in orphanages have higher mortality rates when they aren’t cuddled and socially stimulated. Speaking from personal experience, I know that the power of a hug from my kids, a caress from my wife, or even a congratulatory high-five or fist-pump from a friend or colleague puts a huge pep in my step and elevates my motivation.

The seemingly simple action of physical human connection can lift a person from a place of self-doubt to a place of self-belief. I’ve seen this over and over again with my clients: a gentle pat on the back, helping someone up from the floor after a set of sit-ups—any small act of kindness involving a light touch is enough to make a connection, and BAM!, the other person lights up. Next thing you know, they pay it forward and use that energy to tackle their life with a newfound appreciation, passion, and understanding.

To test this idea, try to recall a time in your life when you felt deflated or depressed. Take a bad day at work, or a time when you lost your temper with your child. Maybe your GPA has been brought down by that C on a final exam; or you gained an extra pound this week, even though you’re sure you followed your program perfectly. All of these scenarios suck! Yes, I said suck. It’s okay to say that—you can’t be positive all of the time. (Seriously, we’re only human.) Can you think of the difference it would make, if, in any of those situations, someone you cared about took the time to console you?

I see this in my kids, when they feel down about something. A simple, loving touch on the shoulder, or a few words of encouragement is all it really takes to help them feel happier, more confident, and ready to take on whatever is getting them down.

Empathy is more than a powerful emotion. I believe it’s an important life skill, one that everyone should practise. Taking the time to understand each other and our feelings can make a very big difference in the world.

[no image in epub file]

Dai Manuel’s Whole Life Fitness Manifesto

Of course, I’d always apologize when I went home to Christie and my girls. I’d acknowledge that I wasn’t the dad or husband I aspired to be, and ask for their forgive-ness. And until they felt ready to forgive me, I wasn’t myself.

My family bond is the mortar between the bricks and tiles of my house—and I’m their wall, too.

Christie and I now have a rule in our home, and I encourage you to adopt it in yours. Our family mantra is, “Fight fast; make up faster!” We might disagree and even argue once in a while, but we make a point of getting it all out on the table, leav-ing nothing to chance or second guesses. We strive to get to the understanding and agreement quickly, and move on. This has worked wonders for us, and I know it can help you, too. Just try it and see how it affects the quality of your relationships. If I’m wrong, so be it. (But let’s not fight about it… lol.)

Faith

For many people, the word faith is synonymous with God and religion, but my defi-nition is much broader. Faith is the underlying principle of believing in something beyond yourself. This could be as simple as a belief in the essential goodness of humankind, or a sense of inter-connectedness with all living things. It’s this spirit, this positive driving force and sense of purpose that fuels your courage as well as your optimism in life.

The meaning that we make of our everyday lives is what gives us a sense of direc-tion, which is so crucial to feeling fulfilled. You wouldn’t jump into your car and drive without a destination in mind. The same can be said of our lives when we make deci-sions by default, without giving them much thought. Doesn’t it make sense to be more conscious about what we are doing and where we are going?

My sense of direction comes from my desire to create positive energy and help people. I have faith that other people feel the same way, wanting to be part of a movement to eliminate, or at least reduce, stress.

I take a leaf out of my daughters’ book. Christie and I have raised them to have a positive mindset, which has seemed to help them make new friends quickly. When we take them to the park, they’re open and friendly toward the other kids because they

Surrounding ourselves with quality people is key to my family.

whole life fitness

expect to find some goodness there. Why can’t adults exude this type of positivity more often?

Studies have shown that when we are highly focused on one thing, we often miss out on noticing the unexpected. At times this selectiv-ity prevents us from seeing some of the most wondrous sights right under our noses: the vibrant yellow hues of a daffodil; the fiery reds of a rose bush in bloom; the baby duck in tow behind its mother and siblings; or simply the grass blades bending in the wind. These are all little miracles in and of themselves. What if we could focus on seeing the positive in others and in the world around us? How would that affect our lives?

Take The Invisible Gorilla, a book based on the work of researchers Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons. They found that when people focus so hard on some-thing, they become blind to everything else, including the most unexpected—even when it’s right in front of their eyes! This phenomenon is called “intentional blind-ness,” and once developed, it becomes easy for a person to miss out on little details. In truth, I think that many of us fail to take notice of life’s amazing landscapes because we are too focused on the ground beneath our feet, or at times, the devices glued to our hands. It’s time to lift our heads and take it all in.

Finances

Financial stability is a cornerstone of any happy life. Whether you have a little or a lot of money, living within your means gives you security and peace of mind. For most of us, buying the things we want as soon as we want them brings short-term satisfac-tion, but living above our means puts a lot of strain on our lives. When you’re buried under debt, you’re carrying a load that relentlessly weighs on you both physically and psychologically. How can anyone relax and be happy when one of the walls of their house is crumbling? It’s impossible!

Paying attention to your finances, and being realistic about what you really need to spend money on are two ways to be financially fit.

Ask yourself how you want to live when you reach retirement. Would you like to travel around the world? Spend the summers golfing in Australia and the winters skiing in the Swiss Alps? The range of options available to you will vary based on your

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change” —Albert Einstein

Скачать книгу