The 7 game changers that turned my life around…
I’m sitting outside Stanford Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto as I write this. My husband is inside with our son who is undergoing his 4th MRI in the 4 year span of his life. Incidentally, I’m also about to review the Product designs and pricing proposal of one of my upcoming product launches later in the afternoon today with my VP of product. All in a day…and I know I got this.
Our Son’s life long diagnosis of Spina Bifida has made things like MRI’s, Ultrasounds and visits to Urology and orthopedics a part of our lifestyle for us. Physical therapies are a part of our weekly schedule and living with a constant unknown- a part of our life situation.
Three years ago, it was a different story- I was always trying to play catch up at work and at home and felt that I was falling short in both places. Back then, I was also a different person — someone who aimed for perfection in everything and in the process became a hard task master- and could never meet my own bar. What resulted was some one who was constantly spinning, overthinking and just being super hard on myself. Looking back at that time and place, it felt as if I would never be enough..
But then after a long cycle of spinning and not getting anywhere, I decided to stop. I don’t remember what exactly caused that to happen but its like a switch toggled in my head telling me that It was enough..
..and from that moment on, things started to look up- once again.
So how did my life magically change?
What happened was a culmination of series of actions I took, slowly but steadily. Its been a journey and I know it will continue to evolve . It all started with these 7 game changers :
- Ask for help
I decided to seek external help to get out of the anxiety and stress I was constantly living under. Must admit that it was a really hard thing to do especially having grown up in a culture where mental health is still considered a taboo.
This one action was the key pivot and that helped me turn my life around over a period of time- from one filled with absolute misery and dejection to the one brimming with hope. This was Game Changer #1!
2. Take Charge
Its true that one cant pour from an empty cup so I took charge of my own wellbeing and happiness. Celebrating small wins, finding joy in little things, being grateful for my privilege and loving my family and loved ones with full abandon- everything I did- I did it with all my heart. It was a gradual process but when it started unfolding, there was no looking back. Game Changer #2!
3. Delete Negative
People, situations, actions, surroundings- anything that hindered joy had no place in my life anymore. I Kon Mari’d the heck out of life and nurtured the most important relations over all others that brought no “real value” or happiness.
Fun fact: Doing that actually gave me abundance of time to keep up with my passion of keeping things organized( this deserves its own post someday).Game Changer #3!
4. Make exercise a priority
I moved- some or the other way- but every single day and gradually picked up a mix of activities that keep both my mind and body healthy and strong. These baby steps turned into a habit and eventually into a permanent lifestyle. Game changer #4!
5. Be more kind
We are always taught to be kind to everyone around us! But what we aren’t taught enough of is to apply the same kindness to ourselves. I had to really pay a lot of attention here as my natural instinct is to disregard any praise showered upon me. I became more accepting of praise, love and compliments and acknowledge the awesomeness that comes with being me!
About time Self love is normalized because each of us has something amazing and that is unique only to us! Game Changer #5!
6. Build patience
I believe that things happen for a reason and I worked hard on building patience and some times let life run its course. It doesn’t mean that I work less harder or put any lesser effort- but in due course of time- I started caring little about the outcomes that are not in my control.Game Changer #6!
7. Follow my heart
There are two great days in a person’s life — the day we are born and the day we discover why- William Barclay
With a demanding job and a really busy life with a myriad of roles to play, I consciously try to live my life with purpose and gratitude. I’m on a quest to make this trip of my life have an impact that resonates with the true joy that my heart desires and the day I find that- i’ll say I’d have found my Game Changer #7!
