How to Honor the Law of Vitality
You’re worn out because the escalator is going down and you’re going up. You stumble because you won’t turn around.
Some things don’t work no matter how hard you try.
People often ask how I’m able to write every day.
I’m able to write everyday because I pour more into my life than I pour out. That’s how it is with everyone. Energy from studying, reflecting, writing, coaching, and interviewing fills my tank. It’s selfish in an openhanded way.
The only way to thrive is to live in sync with the law of vitality.
Vitality:
The law of vitality: Pour in more than you pour out.
Like the law of gravity, you can’t negotiate with the law of vitality. All you can do is honor it.
Only fools think you can contribute from an empty tank.
You know you’re violating the law of vitality when you dread doing what you used to love.
Selfish self-care:
If you never pour out, you become the dead sea.
Selfish self-care does more harm than good.
Self-care isn’t an excuse to serve yourself at the expense of others. In my experience serving yourself is exhausting and disappointing.
Self-care isn’t the remedy for lack of responsibility. It’s self-defeating to put off difficult tasks until procrastination sucks the life out of you and then use self-care as an excuse to continue putting things off.
Honoring the law of vitality is essential, not optional.
Young again:
Pouring in makes you feel young again.
Rejuvenation is more than doing nothing. Boredom makes you old and tired.
Do things that restore vitality.
- Exercise.
- Read.
- Sew.
- Walk.
- Eat fruit.
- Connect with friends.
- Take think-time.
- Add variety.
- Express gratitude.
- Give generously.
It doesn’t matter what restores your vitality as long as it’s legal, not expensive, readily available, and not harmful to others.
Vitality is a byproduct, but it isn’t an accident.
How might you honor the law of vitality today?
How might leaders revitalize others today?
Great read to start off the week! Keep pouring!!
Thanks Dave. Steady on!
Great insight. The interesting thing I wonder is if the distractions of our social media (we can debate it later) has distracted us from vitality. I look to those who came before me (my father and father-in-law), they still execute more work for others out of selfless love than I do at half their age. Their drive and dedication and commitment is something that I found many miss these days. There are caveats I’ll agree on like ensuring time with family and friends is important and building those deep relationships, but too much time navel gazing by oneself is also not healthy either. Have a great week.
Thanks James. Self-reflection and self-care aren’t an excuse for being selfishness. But, I wonder if the more we talk about self-care the less we think about service. Thanks again for jumping in.
Dear Dan,
An interesting post!
‘Pour in more than you pour out’ can be modified as ‘Pour in more to filter out better’. It can be true to remain updated and knowledgeable while sharing it for the benefit of others.
Thank you Dr. Asher. Always a pleasure and thanks for the modification. In the end, the benefit of others can’t be neglected.
Keep pouring Dan! what you pour is so helpful and beneficial to all of us! I am so glad I latched on to your daily ideas and writings. Take care!
Thank you Sam. It’s an honor. Best to you sir.
Let me add
11. Take a nap.
Zzzzzz!! Thanks, Pete. I love a 20 minute power nap!
Dan, I’m curious! sEw? or sOw? If with an E, I assume that is something you enjoy doing. What sort of things do you make? I know a leather worker who sews great things. HOWEVER, if sOw, please expound a bit on what you mean in context to your thoughts today? Regardless, I like the line of your thoughts today.
Thanks Alan. It was an example. Sewing with needle and thread would drive me bonkers. 🙂 Thanks for asking. Cheers
Wow! Powerful message this morning about remembering to do self-care. Whole-heartedness~
Thanks Criss. Best to you
This really hit home for me. Thanks for you insights, Dan. You’re making a difference.
Thanks Lance. Kind of you to say so. I wish you well.
Needed this reminder today and everyday. Like many others out there, my husband and I work from home since COVID. We have three kids ages, 12, 9 and 6. Between COVID, personal loss times 2 within 6 months this year, keeping up with kids school and their extra-curriculars, holidays approaching, preparing to move back to project work from managing direct reports, keeping my marriage nurtured/watered, keeping friendships alive, taking care of my father etc. remembering to self-care can be challenging to say the least. I tend to maintain for more than several weeks on end and then something happens that throws me off my pattern. Then I have to expel double/triple the energy to get back into the groove. Its a vicious cycle I’d like to break. Your list of restoring vitality is great! Thank you.
Thanks Elizabeth. I’m exhausted just reading your comment! 🙂 … It’s so easy to neglect healthy self-care. Best wishes for the future.