Limitless Monday: Power Of Constants In Your Life

Limitless Monday – The power of constants

Whether we like it or not, we all have constants in our lives. Sleep, work, school, study, friends, a romantic partner, exercise, hobbies, and a side hustle are just a few.

My own constants are the inspiration behind this article, how they have changed over time, and what I would like them to look like going forward.

It is both essential and unavoidable to have constants in our lives. As a species, humans are a lover of routines. We rely on them in order to feel productive.

Why are constants so important? They keep us honest. They help us avoid the bad habits we all migrate to when at a loose end. The same unproductive activities that leave you feeling bad about yourself.

What triggered my thinking on the subject was something my son said to me. We were discussing the future of my sacred jiu-jitsu practice. He pointed out my advancing age, the regular injuries, and the fact that other priorities may marginalize my practice over time. That got me thinking…

Jiu-Jitsu is one of my healthy constants. As well as staying fit, I am learning a new skill, I am part of a friendly community, and it allows me to indulge my competitive spirit.

The value of having healthy constants is that they will always be there even when there is turmoil in your life. If you are at odds with your partner or experiencing problems at work or in business, a healthy constant will ensure you remain focused, providing you with the time to step back with a clear head and reflect on other parts of your life.

Exercise is a powerful constant for everyone to include in their lives. Meditation is another. Establishing a side hustle is important especially if you are employed. It provides a much-needed distraction from a 9-5 job and builds independence and motivation. It gives you a purpose. Hobbies such as surfing, sailing, walking, hiking, gardening are all healthy constants to consider including in your daily routine.

Advertisement

Certain constants, such as a romantic partner, friends, children, work, sleep, are what I call essential constants. Although the first one isn’t exactly essential, it’s still something most of us either think we need in our life or stumble into at some point.

Some constants are unhealthy. These include playing video games, checking social media, watching Netflix, eating fatty foods, and drinking too much alcohol. These constants, however, are only unhealthy if you overindulge in them. Spending hours on end watching Netflix reruns or scrolling through TikTok videos is not productive and is certainly not healthy.

They say change is as good as a rest. We all need time to recharge, and therefore a moderate dose of Netflix, a trip to a bar or the cinema, and possibly a quick look at your social feed is no bad thing.

Healthy constants reduce the time we are able to spend on unhealthy endeavors. They help us grow, learn, improve, build strength, stamina, knowledge, financial security, friendships, and improve existing relationships.

Here is a list of my constants.

My old constants

Children

Gym

Wife

Children

My business

Socializing with friends

Sleep

My current constants

Children

Work

Jiu-Jitsu

Gym

Researching business ideas

Life coaching

Writing

Reading

Sleep

My future constants

Children

My business

Writing

Life coaching

Romantic Partner

Jiu-Jitsu

Gym

Reading

Socializing with friends

Sleep

My goal is to develop constants that will keep me grounded, teach me new skills, and provide a much needed stretch. The reason why we call them constants is that they persist whatever the circumstances in our life.

To be a constant, the endeavor has to be performed consistently. They cannot be sidelined at the slightest distraction or upheaval in your life. The problem with most of us is that we quickly drop our healthy constants when a new more shiny constant enters our life.

One of the main reasons for students giving up jiu-jitsu for example is a new girlfriend. When that same student sees his contemporaries attain a high standard, there is always regret. By that time the girlfriend is long gone.

The same goes for neglecting exercise or choosing work over writing, for example.

Many of our constants we find difficult to maintain. That’s because growth can be uncomfortable, possibly even painful. However, it’s imperative that we withstand the temptation to discontinue our healthy constants. One of the challenges is making time for them. Make time we must.

What are your healthy constants? This Monday, I would like you to write down all your constants, the essential, the healthy, and the unhealthy. I then want you to marginalize at least one of your unhealthy constants, ideally two, and add at least one new healthy constant.

Maybe something you are doing inconsistently at the moment. Now it’s time to make it a constant. Perhaps it’s learning a new language, playing chess, rock climbing, practicing a martial art, joining a book club, writing a blog.

When the shit hits the fan your constants never desert you. They will keep you sane when your relationship goes off the rails, when your work becomes monotonous, or your business is struggling.

Your constants will still be there when your girlfriend or boyfriend is a distant memory. The same girlfriend that tried to encourage you to forget your jiu-jitsu practice to spend more time with her. When the ship collides into the unforgiving rocks and the weak, fearful, and undisciplined have scattered like rats you will be one of the last standing.

Happy Monday!

Banner Image: Constants and good habits. Image Credit – Content Pixie