So yes, over the past year I have been quite inconsistent with my content. If you follow me regularly you may have noticed that I went AWOL not just here on my blog and on my podcast but also over on my Youtube channel where I tend to be most active.
That being said, I haven't just given up on life! (Not quite!) I actually thought it was the best thing for me to do, to take some time out and use the time wisely in other ways.
Since I began my YouTube channel I've always felt a pressure to be putting out videos, consistently, every week. That takes a lot of time and effort and meant that I was struggling to also regularly put out blog posts, podcast episodes, social media posts as well as all the other things I have to work on... Especially when I also have a regular job I rely on to survive and pay the bills.
I was therefore falling further and further behind with my blog and podcast, putting out videos sometimes for the sake of putting out a video that week and was getting more and more stressed and frustrated when I wasn't getting results or seeing growth on my channels.
So I thought the best thing for me to do was to take a little break, take some of the pressure off myself, catch up with stuff and get my mind to a better, happier, more relaxed place.
So I took a break from posting videos, caught up with my blog and podcast and focused on myself. Meditating, exercising, getting out on hikes in the Lakes just purely for the love of the hike and the outdoors without feeling like a had to make a video from it.
It's been the best thing I have done for a while, I now feel like I have a weight lifted off my shoulders knowing that I am not playing catch up with all of my content. I no longer feel stressed or annoyed. I'm relaxed, happy, content and excited to get back on track with being creative again with a new lease of energy and enthusiasm.
I was listening to a podcast recently by Ed Mylett, where he was interviewing Gordon Gronkowski who has raised 5 very successful sons, including NFL footballer Rob Gronkowski who has 3 Super Bowl Championships to his name.
At the end of the interview Ed asked Gordon, if someone approached you in a coffee shop, didn't want to disturb you or take up too much of your time but asked you for just one, quick piece of advice for general success in life, what would it be?
Without any hesitation whatsoever Gordon replied:
Take care of yourself first before you do anything. If you don't love yourself you can't be successful in life....
It all starts by taking care of yourself.
The fact that this was give as the single, best piece of advice for any success and was given without any hesitation, from a man who has raised 5 hugely successful men across different fields, including one of the best American football players to play in the NFL, really shows how important it is to look after yourself and love yourself.
Often we think that the key to success is just to hustle, to work as hard as we possibly can and if we keep doing that long enough then we can't fail. But you run the risk of running yourself to the ground and burning out, particularly if you are forcing yourself to do it. And if you are stressed, how can you possibly put your best self into your work.
Working hard is no doubt important but you will be at your most effective and efficient when your mind and wellbeing is at the best place possible.