Convincing each other – and ourselves – that the pace at which we’re moving is out of our hands is merely a justification tactic for a misalignment of priorities. When we resort to removing responsibility from ourselves for the way we spend our time, we’re masking the intuitive feeling that our current patterns are not giving us what we need to thrive emotionally, physically, spiritually – and everything in-between.

It’s official: spring is upon us. And with this “season of new beginnings” comes a renewed energy, an awakening of the ideas and tasks that may have lain dormant in the dark of winter.

Pausing to recognize the emotions we’re feeling in the present moment as we move through these shifts can help us connect to our intuition and break through the barriers that keep us stagnant.

When’s the last time you gave yourself a proverbial high five?

 For most of us, it’s hard to consider those small accomplishments we achieve day in and day out much of a success, but the truth is that it’s those seemingly small successes that enable us to achieve our bigger goals – and experience greater joy along the way.

Spending just a few moments checking in with ourselves – exploring the mind, body, spirit, and our sense of community – can help us identify areas we need to nurture and prioritize. This practice can be helpful to complete weekly or monthly to enable a holistic intention-setting approach tailored to serve you — wherever you are in your journey.  

If we’re disempowered by our capacity to choose and confined by our anxieties – whether real or perceived – the competing priorities and multiple tasks we set out to accomplish at the start of the day may quickly morph into an obstacle course that’s difficult to navigate.

Meditation can seem difficult and intimidating, but once you fling away the veil that often shrouds the practice in mystery, you’ll find it truly is as simple as intentionally carving out time, creating space for stillness, and using breath to relax the body and prepare the mind.

Pausing to focus on the breath strengthens the mind-body connection and brings us back to experience present-moment sensation. The added benefit? Intentionally lengthening our exhalations and expanding the entire diaphragm slows and deepens the breath—and triggers our parasympathetic nervous system, telling our bodies to physically relax.

Once we recognize that we as human beings have limited energy stores—coupled with limitless potential – we begin to understand the significance of tuning in with our unique energetic needs and truly listening to our bodies. Because when we’re each able to show up as the most aligned versions of ourselves, we are empowered to step into our potential and create a more balanced reality.

What I realized was that without a constant barrage of content and implicit perspectives, I learned to turn inward and delve deeper for my own point of view that had gotten buried under all the others. And as I shook off all the misplaced beliefs that made me doubt my vision and purpose, I re-connected with my inner strength and re-ignited my passion.

Beyond the physical and mental benefits, my daily yoga practice has elevated my sense of purpose and intensified my ability to experience gratitude. I feel empathy and compassion more deeply – not only for others, but for myself.

Find what inspires you and what motivates you, and don’t let it out of your sight. Be pragmatic, but don’t lose your ability to dream. Keep opening doors, and windows, and everything in between – because they won’t all lead you to your unique path – but you won’t know until you have the courage to turn the handle.

By developing a routine that helps you enhance your time management, productivity, and overall level of fulfillment, you can make small changes that impact your life in a big way.

Grounding yourself in gratitude can shape the way you approach stressful situations, and can even enhance productivity during hectic periods at work.