There is something fiercely beautiful about a kitchen table. Far more than a flat surface upon which to dine, the table can be the heartbeat of a tribe. It’s a place to gather, talk, and connect. Around a table ideas are shared. Fears are discussed. Dreams are mapped out. Around a table the audience is engaged and captivated by the ongoing conversation.
The Table.
A table has many purposes. A place to eat. A place to work. A place to re-connect with family and friends. A place that guests tend to gather around when they come over. And a place where tough discussions are had.
Last week, I mentioned something about the four legs of a solution that helped me overcome my battle with anxiety. These four legs are a framework of sorts. A framework that holds the table of my life upright and allows for the real work to take place.
frame-work: an essential supporting structure of a building, vehicle, or object.
Without all four legs the table would no longer stand. It would be useless and discarded. Similarly, if the four tenets of my life are not given proper care my life also begins to get wobbly.
When I was at my bottom it was because I had lost sight of these four things…
…and when I started to get better it was because I was focused on strengthening them.
Now, I try to fortify each leg every single day in order to maintain a rich life. I call it my Rich Life Framework. Truly, you can call it whatever you like. Five to Thrive. The Daily Practice. That is not important.
What IS important is understanding the underlying structure of the framework in order to implement it into your own life.
The Rich Life Framework
[R]elationships
“[Y]ou are the average of the five people you associate with most, so do not underestimate the effects of your pessimistic, unambitious, or disorganized friends. If someone isn’t making you stronger, they’re making you weaker.” – Tim Ferriss
Relationships matter in a big way. If you want to be wealthy; surround yourself with wealthy people. If you want to be happy; surround yourself with people who are happy.
No one is sacred here. Life is too short to be around people who don’t fill you up. Although it may be hard at first, practice distancing yourself from the people who are not on the same path as you. You will start to notice that after the initial band-aid is pulled off it becomes much easier and you both move on.
Take the time each day to fortify your relationships. They will drastically help you find a job, start a business, and get what you want out of life.
Top Resource:
A great article on when to say F*** Yes. And when to say no. Highly recommend it.
[I]mpact & Intention
Ever wonder why there are so many unhappy millionaires?
It can usually be tied to the fact that they lack impact and intention with their lives. Although money and prestige are great, if they come at the cost of fulfillment the results can be less than ideal.
I am not talking about saving the world here. But by being intentional about your work and life you start to realize the impact you can at a micro-level every single day.
Top Resource:
Read this guide to help you determine how to make the most impact in your career and life.
[C]areer/Craft
Every day I spend at least 20 minutes working on my craft. For me, that is non-fiction writing. So, I have a Seinfeld calendar on my wall where I keep track of my writing. Every day that I write I put a big line through the day. This is an easy and effective way to build a skill.
Another example, if you are searching for your dream job, you could spend 10 minutes a day writing an email to one person in the industry you are interested in. You will be amazed by the progress you will see over time.
Exercise: I try to work out 5 – 6 times per week, but it doesn’t need to be that extensive. You can go for a walk. Play catch in the park. Or do 100 pushups. It doesn’t matter as long as you try to get your blood moving every day.
Food: It was a revelation to me when I started to notice the effects of dairy and gluten on my body. I would wake up the next morning after eating pasta in a cognitive coma, unable to think or act at the highest level. Now, I am not telling you to go purge your fridge, but simply to start noticing how certain foods make you feel.
Mind: Mental health is often the most overlooked part of personal health, but it is the most important aspect that helped me overcome my anxiety and start to live a life fully alive. Every morning I try to prime my mind by focusing on the 3-5 things that I am most grateful for. This is a simple mind hack that can lead to a charged day.
I cannot guarantee that this Framework will change your life. All I know is that when I follow this daily Framework I have more energy, less anxiety & stress, and more focus on the things that really matter to me.
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