27 Mar Week 3: 21 Day Workaholic Recovery Plan (Success!)

I am happy to let you know that I made it through Week 2 of the 21 Day Workaholic Recovery Plan.  Not only was this week easier than the first week, but it has confirmed something that I know to be true, but lost sight of: which is: less really is more.  

You see, the first week was about recharging my battery which helped me to gain perspective and be clear headed enough to take on this week’s challenge of creating firm work boundaries and actually sticking to them.  The goals were simple enough:

• Delegating work where I could
• Adhering to work cut off times, and
• Setting realistic goals and time lines

Normally, when I come to California for business, I cram in a zillion meetings, try to keep up with all of my normal weekly meetings, stay in touch with my family and friends and forgo much needed rest and sleep.  Well, not this time.  This time, I paced myself well, limited the number of meetings that I took, didn’t promise things that I knew I couldn’t deliver on and even took another long weekend. (And yes, I can get seriously used to this!)

At first I panicked over the fact that I wouldn’t get everything done, but that was quickly replaced with a laser beam focus which translated to work sessions that were fantastically productive.  And that is the key.  Trying to juggle a thousand balls in the air means that you feel productive because you are always in motion, but in reality, it’ a productivity illusion.   Because I was rested and clear headed, I was able to get much more done in a much shorter time frame and still have some energy to spare to actually enjoy my time off.  And the time off made me look forward to my work!

However I did fall down in the exercise department.  It didn’t completely go out the window, but it was a far cry from what it needs to be.  So that brings me to this week’s challenge.

Week 3: Get-Back-In-Shape-Plan

• Get Back to Yoga.  Yoga has been transformative.  After my BC diagnosis, yoga changed my life.  It gives me strength, flexibility and peace.  I have to stop watching my husband go off to yoga while I rattle off yet another “I’m-too-busy” excuse, and literally schedule class or personal practice into my calendar.
• Walk More. Drive Less.  This one speaks for itself.
• Drink More Water.  As simple as this sounds, when I drink a lot of water regularly, it does wonders for my energy, digestion, skin and appetite control.  Try it!