Here’s one physiologic truth we all should’ve been taught in Health 101 for the Preternaturally Busy. The ingredients for making a memory are 1. Paying attention 2. Sleeping for at least 7 hours a night. I couldn’t be more serious. The ingredients of memory making are your attention followed by a good night’s sleep. You have to be paying attention in order to be able to remember anything. If you really want to remember something important to you, well then pay really close attention to it and then make sure you sleep well that night. You’ll remember that important thing for many many years. Because that’s how memories get made. 

Here’s the bad news:

1. If you do not use techniques to strengthen your ability to pay attention, the urgencies of the day will take control of your life.

2. If you do not place time for yourself onto your schedule, you’ll have great work/life balance that doesn’t include you.

Decide now to strengthen your ability to pay attention with these action steps:

1. Start your day with meditation. This puts you in charge.

2. If you haven’t already, place 30 minutes onto your schedule and walk with a friend at work.

3. Rest for thirty minutes instead of emailing tonight. You will be doing your colleagues a favor. Set the standard that no one gets email after nine at night. After all, you want your team to be doing what you’re doing and that is getting good sleep so you all are fresh and recharged ready to make meaningful memories tomorrow.