Protecting Your Heart
Recently I did a coaching video for young adults coming out of high school and college. I was asked to talk about how to stand out among your peers in today’s culture. This was a series called “Super Powers” and my topic was “How Protecting Your Heart is a Super Power”. This was so easy for me to write because it was like I was being asked to write to my younger self. I think this is not only important for young leaders coming out of college and entering the work force, but also for adults who are entering any new stage in their life. What better time to reflect and ensure you’re putting you first than right now during this global pandemic? This is the perfect time to reset, refocus, and realign with what matters most.
Life is about growth and contribution. If you’re not growing you’re dying. Below are some of my tips to not only protect your heart but to also ensure you’re in the right environments that allow you to grow.
Realize it’s okay to be different. I don’t know if you can relate to this but I thought being different was a bad thing. Then I realized being different just means being a part of something bigger. It’s okay if you don’t fit in. It’s okay if you don’t have a huge social media following. It’s okay if you don’t look like everyone else. It’s okay if you want something different for your life than what society has taught us is “normal”. Once we make this realization, we stop trying to conform. Our vision becomes crystal clear and we become more efficient at minimizing distractions.
Set healthy boundaries. Respecting my personal time is probably the most fundamental tool I've learned to implement to protect my heart. Take inventory of where your time goes and who gets it. Ask yourself “What do I like to do?” and make sure you make time for that everyday. For example, working out is a must for me! I know I have to set time aside to take care of my body. It’s also important to know how you recharge. Are you an introvert that needs alone time to recharge or do you get recharged and reenergized by being around people? Also, make sure you set time aside to serve others. Figure out how to offer value and contribute to someone or something else. I know for myself when I feel down or lost, helping someone else automatically takes me out of that funk. However, it’s important to remember that you can’t serve others before your own tank is full. Let go of expectations and practice gratitude. We all need a grateful heart in order to perform at maximum capacity.
Connect to God. Having a strong spiritual foundation is the key to protecting your heart and I think a lot of people overlook this. Being firm in your beliefs, core values and all things non-negotiable will set you apart from the rest of the world who is easily influenced by celebrities, materialism and the latest trends; all things that lead to letting whoever and whatever into your heart when they didn’t earn it. Understanding your purpose in life will help keep you from distractions. You may not know what your purpose in life is yet, but holding onto Gods word will only help you dive deeper into what it is and who you’re called to be. When you know who you are and what your vision is, you can protect your heart from things and even people who feel inauthentic and who are not meant to be in your life. Which leads me to my final tip….
Who is in your circle? Romantically, familial, relationally…who do you spend the most time with? Do these people add value to your life? Do they bring peace and joy? Do you feel energetic or lethargic after being with them? Are they your biggest cheerleaders? Do they support the anointing on your life? Are you the smartest person in the room? If so, you may need a new room. It’s okay to still love these people. Sometimes, in order to protect your heart you just have to love them from a distance. Whoever you’re around or whatever you’re putting in will flow out. Make sure what flows in is positive, uplifting, encouraging, and supportive of who we’re called to be. This includes the five people we spend the most time with.
I’ll end with this. Everyone is dealing with an internal battle that we know nothing about. Therefore, take nothing personal and guard your heart. Be honest with people about who you are, what you want and how you expect to be treated. Know your standards. Know your worth.
