How Grace & Flexibility Can Light the Path to Success

Why morning routines aren't all they're cracked up to be & resting and doing things when your energy is saying the opposite.

I’m well into my Summer Solstice Sabbatical, so why am I writing?

For one, I think that it’s because I have something to say. But, more importantly, I have noticed that by giving myself grace and flexibility I have more enthusiasm in my life and business as a whole.

Before I talk more about this, I want to first share with you some ways that you can give yourself some grace and flexibility.

In what ways can you give yourself grace and flexibility? I have some ideas…

Morning Routine

Your morning routine is a great place to start.

If you are someone who thrives on rising at the crack of dawn, exercising, journaling, reading, and meditating before others even think about peeling their sleepy eyes open, then this message is not geared toward you. If a strict, predictable morning routine truly brings you joy and fulfillment then, by all means, keep at it!

I’m writing this message to all of you who *think* you *need* a morning routine because someone said that you *should* because it works for them - but you’re secretly resentful and you begrudgingly do your morning routine because so many people swear by it. They say that it gives them so much energy and has literally changed their lives. But, for some reason, your ambitious morning routine is not having the same effect on you.

I’m here to say that you don’t have to have a morning routine.

Notice: Did you feel a twinge of relief when you read this? If so, then this message is for you.

I’ll elaborate more…

You don’t have to have a morning routine to be successful.

You don’t have to have a morning routine to seize the day.

You don’t have to have a morning routine to make the most of your day.

You don’t have to have a morning routine to get off on the right foot.

Ok, you get the point.

I have what I like to call MORNINGS. If I were to elaborate, I would say that I like to have a slow start to my mornings and ease into the day. Sure, I have things that I do most mornings - but only because they feel right to me in the moment. Most every morning I brew a cup of Earl Grey tea. Some of the time I may do a tarot spread or meditate. But I never force myself. And - for heaven’s sakes - I sometimes scroll on Instagram before I get out of bed.

What I’m trying to get across is that you can give yourself some grace on the whole morning routine thing if it’s not feeling aligned for you. You can also allow yourself the flexibility to follow your energy. This may lead you to do something similar each morning (or not).

Resting

You can also practice giving yourself some grace when you decide (or need) to rest when you should be “doing things.”

Powering or pushing trough, when you really need rest, can become unhealthy if you make a habit out of it.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t ever just power through something that that needs to get done, whether it be a deadline or a responsibility that you have to someone else. There have been several times that I was dreading a task, but I made myself just sit down and get started. It usually ends up not being that bad, and I feel proud of myself when the task is completed.

What I’m talking about here is repeatedly denying yourself rest when your body and mind are telling you that they need a break.

Take the time to listen within, and honor what you truly need.

I suggest that you read my previous article Unconventional Schedules to Disrupt Toxic Productivity, where I provide some support for those who may want to shake things up a bit with their schedule so that they can be more well-rested and productive (in a good way).

Doing Things

In the same vein as the previous point, you can practice giving yourself some grace when you decide to work or “do things” when you were planning on resting or taking time off.

A perfect example of this is what I’m doing right now. I leave in a few hours to go to Ireland for my honeymoon, and I’m in the midst of a sabbatical from work - yet, here I am.

It could be so easy for me to berate myself for working when I’m *supposed* to be taking time off.

But I’m not going to do that. I’m going to write when I have the energy to do so, and rest when I do not.

A Few More Thoughts…

It’s not all-or-nothing.

I truly believe that it’s the grace and flexibility that we offer ourselves that allows us to be both satisfied and successful in our lives and businesses.

One thing in common about these ideas for giving yourself more grace and flexibility is that they all focus on honoring your own energy and trusting yourself that you know what is best for you.

It is likely that you will find the balance that you’ve been craving if you trust yourself to follow your own energy.

If you don’t have an impressive morning routine - you’re not a loser.

And if you rest when you have told yourself that you should be working - you’re not going to become a worthless piece of shit.

And if you get a burst of inspiration and decide to work when you’ve already set aside time for rest - you’re not going to become a workaholic.

I believe it’s the irony in all this that makes it work.

Think about it.

If you’re anything like me, you may be a little bit stubborn. For example, if someone tells me to do something there’s something inside me that’s a bit resistant. However, if I’m completely free to do whatever I want, it’s likely that I’ll do the thing on my own.

Another example could be the dread that you feel when you *have* to work, or when there are certain expectations placed on you that you don’t have much control over.

Those of use who are solopreneurs have much more control than we believe. We don’t have to do things the way they were done at our other jobs. We can be creative and innovative. We can do things that have never been done before. There is nothing that is impossible. So, design your business in a way that allows you more freedom when it comes to your energy.

What I want to leave you with is that you don’t have to try so hard. You don’t have to “figure things out.” You don’t have to be anyone or anything other than who you are.

**I may - or may not - be back before August… I’m going to see where my energy takes me.