“Crushing my goals with a chronic illness…sounds exciting but how?”

That my friend, is a definition to each of us as special and unique as our conditions and us as individual people!
There is no ‘secret’ or ‘how you fix it’ quick answer. There is only how you face it and find a way around it, over it, or just straight through it.

The solution is unique, however there are tips, patterns, and routines I have come across that seem to help expound on the 4 Habits That Are The Foundation For Crushing Goals Chronically.

Simply put, to me, Crushing It Chronically looks like this:

“Conquering today what tried to keep me down, but saving for tomorrow what could potentially wipe me out”

To an extent that’s where balance comes in. If you’re implementing these 4 Habits, you’re a step closer in your mindset and approach to being successful and reaching your goals.

Successful….that’s a broad term by the way. What does it look like to you?

It could be the actual act of obtaining a goal but it could also be a positive shift in your mindset or your outlook on things being improved.

But I digress.

Here are some daily reminders and tips I use personally that are how I continue crushing my goals, despite chronic illness!

1. Own Today, Don’t Let The Day Own You –

Be realistic in your to-do list and your schedule.

Prioritize what is actually a priority, not just popped up, and leave yourself adequate time to complete it.

This was referenced to in the 4 habits post because it’s really just that good!

Time-blocking your days and planning ahead so that you can get the most out of the energy and time invested is super important.

   – Time is the most valuable commodity; we all are given 24 hours in a day and once we spend it we can’t get it back so choose wisely.

   – For me, time I spend recuperating because I wouldn’t slow down just a little is longer than if I had been pacing myself. I end up loosing more time during the recoup phase because of the ‘hustle’ or the ‘grind’ than because of the task itself.

   – Time is similar to money. It’s going to go somewhere, so you should be telling it where to go instead of asking where it went.

Owning the day – but don’t let the day own you – hint;

this means not scheduling your day to the minute or overlapping things…within reason. 

I can drive while listening to an audible or podcast for personal growth, but I can’t expect to fold laundry while washing dishes, right?

Also, if it takes you 15 minutes drive time between appointments don’t schedule the appointments 15 minutes apart. Not even 20 minutes apart…give room to breathe, prevent stress or hustle, and accommodate for unexpected traffic, construction, or conversations that may arise.

2. Get Up. Show Up. Do it Up. –

We don’t feel like doing much some days but let’s face it, other people not chronically ill have bad days too or get sick and don’t feel like adulting either.

I make myself get up even when I don’t feel like it, I show up to the task at hand, and do it up to the best of my ability.

(this is where grace for yourself comes into play)

I wake up stiff, hurting, and can’t force my eyes to stay cracked but I had planned on working out that morning.

   – Option A: Get up even though I don’t feel like it. Get in the shower to help limber up and show up to the activity.

   – Option B: Feel sorry for myself and roll back over, uncomfortable and miserable, to try to go back to drifting in and out of sleep.

Well, most days I choose Option A.

Nope, I don’t workout like what’s in my planner but that doesn’t mean I can’t stretch, do a few calf raises, donkey kicks, or maybe leg lifts after my shower while still in the steamy bathroom.

I don’t do the workout like planned because I don’t want to risk injury but that doesn’t mean I can’t help my blood get flowing a little even if my heart rate doesn’t increase.

Maybe it’s one of those days that stretching is my only option…well I do it to the best of my ability. This is the task at hand.

Yes, I did it uncomfortable…but let’s face it, I would’ve been just as uncomfortable tossing in bed feeling sorry for myself dwelling on what I missed out on.

I may even go back to bed or rest on the couch afterwards and if I choose to do so I’m doing it in the mindset of I accomplished something, the task at hand, and now I’m resting.

***Mindset Inspired because of Crushing It***

3. Knowing When Enough Is Enough –

So, I just told you to Get Up, Show Up, and Do It Up and now I’m telling you to know when enough is enough.

Sounds confusing, maybe contradictory, but really it’s not I promise.

Going back to Options A and B in #2, this is where you know your limits.

Option A was doable. Hubby may help me to the shower but I’m capable of sitting in a hot bath or standing in a hot shower for a short time frame. In fact, I usually feel so much better when I do!

And this is where the evaluation comes in.

Sometimes I feel good enough afterwards I catch myself thinking “I can do a workout now, or go for a long walk, or deep clean the house.”

NO. Just No.

Doing a few exercises that are low impact and increase blood flow, loading the dishwasher, or even walking to the mailbox?

Yeah sure I can do those, they shouldn’t exacerbate the flare, in fact it might help me mentally and emotionally more than it wears me out physically. That, for me, is a good trade off.

But seriously. Deep cleaning the house, walking 2 miles, or doing a HIIT workout…I might make it through it but how hard will it be to get out of bed tomorrow? Or will I use all my energy and not be able to cook supper or enjoy time with my husband when he gets home from work?

Knowing our limits, knowing what is planned ahead and thinking things through those tasks, are very important.

Nope, I’m not perfect. I still get a wild hair and think back later in the day that maybe I shouldn’t have done all-the-things but I don’t dwell on it. I keep it in mind to be able to evaluate better next time around.

There are many verses pointing to rest in the Lord, finding renewal and peace.

One of my favorites is spoken from Christ himself. When I find myself surrounded by chaos, worry, anxieties, and inability to focus, or feeling overwhelmed, I realize I haven’t slowed down in a while or taken time to seek His peace.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) –

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

4. Stop hustling and start crushing the goals that really matter –

Chronic Illness goals are different than hustling goals.

Seriously.

One day my goal is to write three posts, set up a social media outline with 30 days of content, and work one-on-one with a client for an hour.

Other days, it’s figuring out how to pour myself water because I can’t open the jug or hold a cup.

If I was just hustling focused then I wouldn’t appreciate the small goals and tasks I accomplished on the days when big goals aren’t an option, much less the hustle or grind to get there.

Brain fog is legit with this stuff and I’m a recovering perfectionist when it comes to serving others, my clients, and work performance.

   – That means when my day is super bad, I don’t even try to grind out performance tasks…if I did I would just end up laying in bed at night worried I messed something up or forgot something and most likely wouldn’t have accomplished much and have to do it over again the next day.

   – Of course, if I don’t do something I would feel guilty and stressed. So, instead I work on things that don’t demand as much focus or mental strain like graphics, making sure updates are done on the websites, answering any comments online, setting up my calendar, making a list of things to research, writing down ideas, etc.

I have a checklist for brain fog days that allow me to still do things that need to get done without extensive mental involvement.

This way I’m still Crushing It…..just Chronically.

Chat soon and God bless,