What a Bright Shiny Squirrel!

I get distracted easily. Sometimes it's in mid sentence, sometimes it's on the way to doing something, but more often it's a tangent that I get on when I need to be focusing on something else. Key word is focus. Since starting my Peak Performance energy course, I have started to become aware and conscious of when I am distracted. I will get an a-ha "I'm distracted", then I will pause. The beauty in the awareness is that then, in that moment I am at full choice as to whether I continue to be distracted or to break my tangent, clear my head, and focus on what I need to focus on.

One particular lesson that stuck with me from the course kickoff weekend in Denver was "get stuff done YO" lesson. We cleared our energy and then got into focused action. Now here's the gem: the time frame was 30 minutes, no longer. Here's the reason: after 30 minutes, one's energy is getting depleted. How many times have I started to do something, get "focused" and then a huge gap of time passes and my head is spinning like a top and I start to feel like a bag of dirt. In the overall scheme of things it's not very smart, nor very productive. What's my resolution? Clear my energy, focus on what I need to get done AND set a timer (in another room) for 30 minutes to break my mental train. Timer goes off, I take a rest. Rinse and repeat. However there's one thing more I have discovered.

If I do not have enough protein and good natural fats in my system, I'm more apt to "squirrel". Protein and fats help keep me grounded, my thought process more linear and focusing on task is easier. Plus my overall energy levels are much more even keel.  I still need some starchy carbohydrates, but the level is kept on the lower end. Therefore proteins and fats must be prominent on my plate, then heap on the veggies. Starchy carbohydrates are at the end if at all. So much for the advice of Canada's Food Guide. Will I still have the occasional chowdown of hot wings and fries, as well as a bowl of popcorn with Frank's Hot Sauce and an oil? Of course with the key word being occasional not routine with all the while paying attention to the messages my body is telling me.

What I would like to have happen at the end of Peak Performance is that I can easily see what needs to be done (prioritize), have the focus and the energy to get the job done with ease and grace so I can do it again.
Sherri Donohue
Hot Torch, Room Full of Glass, and a Kung Fu Kwoon