Have You Ever Felt Out of Alignment? Like you’re out of sorts, stressed, and you can’t quite pinpoint why? Years ago, I attended an executive stress management course that forever changed how I approach life. The instructor led us through an exercise so powerful that it’s stayed with me ever since. Today, I want to share it with you, hoping it brings the same clarity and relief it brought me.
The One-Year Exercise Imagine this:
You have just one year left to live. There’s no pain, no suffering—just a full year to live life fully. Now, take a moment to list everything you would do in that year. Don’t hold back. Write down every experience you’d want, every person you’d spend time with, and every place you’d go. What dreams would you chase if time wasn’t a limiting factor? I know it sounds a bit heavy but stick with me—this exercise has a point.
A Second List:
Your Daily Routine Now, grab a second piece of paper. This time, write down everything you do on a regular day. Where does your time go? What fills your hours? Who do you spend your time with? Jot down your routines, your commitments, and even the small, everyday tasks that make up your life.
Time to Compare:
Here’s where the magic happens. Take your two lists and compare them. If what you’d do with just one year to live looks dramatically different from what you’re doing today, you might be out of alignment. And being out of alignment can cause a deep, internal stress—one you may not even realize is there. Getting Back into Alignment.
The good news? You can fix this.
The key to reducing this stress and living a more fulfilling life is to start incorporating more of the things you value most—the ones on that first list—into your everyday life. Don’t wait for the “right time” to pursue what really matters to you. Don’t delay those important experiences or relationships. What you wrote on your first list represents what you truly value at your core. It’s time to align your daily actions with those values.
Start Today!
This Front-Row Friday, I challenge you to take this exercise to heart. Compare your lists, find where you’re out of sync, and make a conscious effort to get back into alignment. The sooner you start living in harmony with your true values, the more fulfilled and stress-free your life will become.
Wishing you a life fully in alignment with what matters most to you. See you next time,
Your Head Usher,
Marilyn
