How do we make consistent progress towards our goals? How do we overcome the mental resistance and procrastination, and just get started?
‘Eat the frog’ is a deceptively simple and memorable productivity method. It advises you to do the hardest (or most important) task first thing in the day.
For many years, my ‘frog’ was work-related, especially when I started freelancing and felt overwhelmed by my daily list of tasks.
But a period of burnout in 2019 forced me to re-consider my ‘frog’ and prioritise my hidden frog: my health.
Looking back, I’m surprised how resistant I was to taking good care of myself. Part of the block was not knowing where to start, particularly since the wellness world is now overflowing with options.
Meeting the new frog
Learning Shiatsu and going deeper with my Reiki practice introduced me to the “wellness frog”. My growing knowledge of Eastern Medicine gave my self-care knowledge a much-needed boost.
Following the ‘Eat the frog’ productivity method, I gradually found it easier to prioritise my health.
Yet I noticed there was still an element of resistance – I had all these new tools but was more willing to serve other people with them than myself.
This is common in Practitioner world: empathic people who will rush to the needs of others rather than facing one’s own challenges, possibly around self-worth.
Circumstance forced me to face this head on. As the only Shiatsu Practitioner in south Goa, I had little choice but to ‘give’ Shiatsu to myself! Yes, self-Shiatsu is a ‘thing’ and it’s expanded the possibilities of how Shiatsu can be shared, to benefit us all.
On my own boduy, I have learned to work different acupressure points, and work along energy meridians on my arms, legs, hands face and feet. This has helped to calm nerves and manage all the stress associated with living through a pandemic (away from friends and family for almost two years).
I’m sharing everything I’ve learned in online Guided Self-Shiatsu sessions – most recently for a team at a well known UK cancer research organisation.
The Sacred Frog
The frog becomes less daunting when you’ve faced the frog enough times. Taking care of myself is now a vital grounding morning routine. I nurture my sacred frog every day by practising either Qi Gong or Yoga.
I love how the gentle movement creates space – a sense of emptiness that helps me to be in the moment. it is often during these times that I have my most inspiring and creative ideas.
During yesterday’s practice, these words floated into my conscious mind as I pondered the year end:
“As another extraordinary year comes to an end, prepare your body, mind and spirit for the journey ahead”
Shiatsu for The Journey Ahead
If you’re feeling completely frazzled, mildly optimistic, burned out, confused, fearful or just getting by with the day to day, then you’ll want to read my posts in the upcoming 3 part series: Shiatsu for The Journey Ahead.
My Friday Letters for the next 3 weeks in December will guide you in using Eastern Medicine to help prepare your body, mind and spirit for whatever challenges we may encounter in the year ahead.
If you’re getting this in my Go Slow Friday Letter, hit REPLY and let me know what health challenges you’re experiencing and the support you need.
(This might be anything related to your physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health since Shiatsu is a holistic (whole-person) therapy.)
If you’re reading this blog from my News section, you can get my free dose of weekly wellness here.
