Are you always at full throttle? I know that I lived this way for many years. The main reason I was always rushing was that I felt like I was behind and playing catch up.  This was a vicious cycle that was perpetuated by staying up too late just so I could get one more thing done.

When you don’t get enough sleep you have no energy. This lack of sleep causes you to be irritable. When your unpleasant mood reaches that level it is best to just go take a nap before you say things that you wish you had not said.

If you persist in pushing yourself then there are other things that you may need to be aware of.

Most accidents occur when you are in a hurry. Think about the last time you fell, what was going on? Were you running to get the phone? Hurrying down stairs to put a load of laundry in the washing machine or were you late for work and racing to get in the car and leave?

Then what happens when you finally make it to the car? That foot gets heavy and you think you can shave a few minutes by fudging the speed limit just a little.  Let me tell you, hurrying never did get you there on time when you were already late to start with. All it did was set you up for an accident and if you were lucky, the police officer stopped you. This may have saved you from an even worse fate of hurting yourself or one of your children.

When we are rushing around our brain does not work efficiently. We can’t think! Logic goes right out the window. That is why common sense is a scarce commodity when we are in trying to play catch up!

All it takes to get hold of your senses is to stop the hyper speed merry-go-round by jumping in right where we are. Do not try to play catch-up! We establish simple habits that form the foundation of a life that is peaceful.

This month’s habit is getting dressed to lace up shoes as soon as you get up in the morning. One tip for making this habit easier is to pick out your clothes the night before. This one habit starts your day on a calm note. You can accomplish a whole lot more in a day when you are slow down and take one thing at a time.

We have always prided ourselves at being able to multi-task. Well this is a lie we tell ourselves so we have permission to rush. When you try to do two things at once, neither one of them get done. While your attentions are pulled in two different directions your body gets beaten up.

Slow down, you don’t have to live this way. Just one little habit will start you on a journey of slow and steady. As each habit become automatic, your routines will bring this peace to your life.  All it takes from you is a commitment to take baby steps!

What is your speed? You may find that a little dose of calm is better than any adrenaline or caffeine diet you have ever been on.