Are you just surviving or are you truly living? I hope you are living! You have every reason to look at this time as a season of good change that can lead to growth in areas you never dreamed possible! So, go for it! You can learn how to live above this cloud.

But right now, our world is filled with messiness, which can breed way too much perfectionism. We are concerned about things that should not take up all our time. Have you had a chance to get outside and see the greens of spring? If not, take a safe Covid-19 drive! Seriously, some states are opening up their state roadways just so people can take a drive and realize that there is something beyond this moment.

If you live in New York or another major city, I understand this is difficult. But remember, too much focus on “me-ness” is a breeding ground for perfectionism.

One of my favorite writers and speakers, Brené Brown says, “Perfectionism is self-destructive simply because there’s no such thing as perfect. Perfection is an unattainable goal!” Are you seeking transformation during this time of “shelter”? Then make sure your perspective is right and that you are focused on the things that can and do make imperfect days Perfect!

Here are four “must do’s” before 11 am in the morning. Touch these areas and watch your life change from just hanging around to being productive and outlined with plenty of energy and hope. They are simple.

Core: This is the area of your life that defines who you are deep inside. It includes your closest relationships. Rule number one: learn to be an encourager. This weekend I’m thinking about my girls and also my Mom. It’s Mother’s Day, right?! Sometimes, I forget the need of 5 to 1— encouragement to criticism for teens. Encourage, love, and instill hope! Each one of us needs hope, at any age and at any time. Offer hope and you have offered someone the ability to try life again—even if it is for the first or the 14th time.

So, this is NOT the time to pause your encouragement button. The best way to gain encouragement for yourself, is to be an encourager to someone else. You can do this! Encourage one other person before 11 am with a simple action.

Write a short note and drop it in the mail to a neighbor, a friend, or someone who has worked for you for years. When you order take out, don’t forget the tip! Encouragement is like gratitude—when you encourage others, you feel “happy” within your heart and your own mood changes.

Experience: Most of us are still at home. Our experience for now seems to be within our “four walls,” but it’s not. Use this time to reenergize yourself! Rest, take a walk, go for a run, or hike a trail. If you are in a heavily populated environment, wear a mask, change your view and think about something that is productive and not “counter.”

Turn the TV off, refuse to watch movies that end with defeating thoughts. Keep your brain active and feed it with hope. Dale Carnegie wrote: “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” We have hope because we have one another and because we are!

Contribution: Strategic coach Dan Sullivan writes, “You already have everything within you that you need to create an exceptional life” He calls this your “unique-ability.”

In other words: What’s your “YOU-Ness” that you can give away to others? If you asked your top three clients or top three friends what makes you, “YOU,” what would they say?

Then ask yourself, which “task” or activity gives you the most energy? THIS is also how you give back—your gift to the world; offer your YOU-Ness to others. Think about this: what can you do that will have lasting meaning? Anyone can give money, but few really settle on giving themselves to a cause that will make a difference in this world.

Finance: More than likely, perfection in this environment is not what you are looking to achieve. Watching your investments shrink, is no fun. Ever heard the saying: “Performance measured is performance improved”? Start viewing your annual spending as your life report card. And think about budgeting what you spend and where your money goes. This actually will free you to do so much more.

It’s part of my exercise for you to become a liberated investor. The liberation comes from the data and decisions to right-size spending to reflect more of who you are.

Do you want to come away from this time with more? I do! Learn how to liberate your investments, your life, your business, and your relationships! Identify what you really want to do. The end goal is not just about a retirement plan or being financially secure. It’s about life and meaning that counts.  

Move from scarcity to freedom! Sign up for my free webinar, you have time now, and I will teach you how to restructure your time, money, and resources so that you will use them more effectively. ​​​​​​​Take the challenge as I show you how to reclaim your calendar, increase your wealth, and start creating more Perfect Days!