At the time this episode publishes, we are in the heart of a family season…which might mean that your reservoir of self-care is running pretty dry. But the Chinese yin/yang symbol is a perfect metaphor for balance, teaching us that in the middle of one extreme we crave it’s opposite. That means that what might be missing from your summer right now is the kind of self-care that we give ourselves in a personal season.

So how do we do that in the summer, when there isn’t much time and everyone is competing for our attention? We implement one of my favorite tools, Power Hour, and create small, imperfect habits to nourish mind, body, and spirit.

But if the phrase Power Hour sounds intimidating, don’t worry. Other than it’s catchy name, Power is just a regular time for you to nourish your mind, body, and spirit. And it doesn’t even need to be an hour. However long this ritual is for you, just make sure you address the what, when, and how of this routine:

WHAT – What will you include in your routine? Exercise for your body? Meditation, affirmations, journaling for your mind? Prayer and inspirational study for your spirit? It’s up to you, just make sure you have a solid plan so it’s easy to follow through.

WHEN – When will you do Power Hour? Consider creating a new morning habit before anyone wakes up and competes for your attention. Even if waking up early isn’t currently your jam, taking it small and keeping it simple can start a shift that will transform so much of the way you show up in your day.

HOW – two words – ceilings and floors. Too often, people set lofty goals with aggressive expectations, only to burn out quickly and lose momentum. The key is to avoid these “ceiling” goals, and instead create baseline 5-minute “floor” version of your goals. Consistency adds up lots faster than spurts of effort.