This week I want to share a principle I was taught early in life by my father who was a successful businessman. “It’s management before the fact Barbie, it’s management before the fact,” he used to say. Little did I know those many years ago that daily I would be teaching my clients the principle of, “Do what you can do today, to make tomorrow run smoother.” A small effort in advance can make the difference between living your life in such a way that will optimize your energy…and knowing how you want to live, but not being able to make it happen. That’s a mouthful isn’t it? Let’s break it down.

1. Living your life in such a way that will optimize your energy 

Take a minute and think about where you get your energy? Obviously we get it from sleep, food and exercise but from what other sources do we receive energy? The answer to this is personal and worth exploring. It could be from other people, hobbies, or learning to name a few. When you can identify where you derive your energy, you can plan how to incorporate this knowledge into your life.

2. Knowing how you want to live, but not being able to make it happen

It’s also important to ask yourself what drains your energy? Again, to name a few possibilities; it could be those who invite negativity into your life, high expectations from yourself or others, or not planning your time effectively.

Take a look at your list of what gives you energy and plan in advance, ways you can incorporate them into your daily routine.

Eating healthy is an area people often have difficulty, but with a little advance preparation, is something that is very manageable. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus healthy snacks planned in advance, prevents vending machine lunches, grazing, and  fast food binges, not to mention, how it promotes stabilized blood sugar, increased metabolism, and over all improved functioning.

I am a big fan of preparing healthy foods in advance so as to take the guess work (a big energy drain) and preparation out of what I’m going to eat, when lack of time is a factor. Making the most important meal of the day a.k.a., breakfast could easily get lost in the shuffle of the morning madness if it weren’t for my “Cozy Oats”recipe which follows. When I wake up, I go downstairs and pop a pre-packaged baggie into the rice cooker with four cups of water and turn it on.  Then I go back up stairs and when I’m ready, it’s ready. What could be more perfect?

Two Secrets … Shhhhh

1. I buy the ingredients in bulk and prepare several meals assembly line style in advance

2. I use a rice cooker with a ‘keep warm’ feature to make the “Cozy Oats.” That way if there is any leftover, it can remain in the cooker for 2 days to be eaten when desired.

Cozy Oats

2 Cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

1/4 Cup Brown Sugar

1 T. Toasted Wheat Germ

3/4 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. Cinnamon

1/8 tsp. cardamom

4 Cups water

Place all dry ingredients in rice cooker with 4 cups of water and cook.

Options:

*Top with chopped fresh or dehydrated apples, dried cranberries, golden raisins, walnuts

*After cooking cycle is complete add 1 cup of frozen mixed berries and stir. The berries will defrost quickly in the hot oatmeal

*Add 1/4 cup chopped prunes to dry mixture before cooking.

Enjoy!

Be a pioneer of peace by sharing your tips and recipes for “management before the fact,” by pressing the comment button in the top righthand corner. 

Shine on 😀

Barbara