Some of you may have noticed that the MM is, sometimes, coming out later than normal on a Monday. This is because I am trying to practise what I preach when it comes to the balance in my life. I’d normally factor some time in on a Sunday to write and schedule the MM but I realised that a Sunday is quite precious, as it is a day my wife has off. So, instead of taking time away, which could have stopped us doing something together, I have tried to do something on the Saturday instead.
This now put a bit of pressure on my Saturday but I was, normally, on my own around the house so it works now and then. This weekend, I was busy, busy. Kids, Grandkids, a ‘gathering’ to organise, driving with my Son and, of course, some football to watch, so it didn’t happen and I left the MM until now.
The good news is, I have a more ‘relaxed’ day today and have time to sit down and think of a topic and put something together, but what if I was ‘full on’ today, what would I do then?
In most of your lives, I can imagine and am hearing, that work is busier than ever. There isn’t the luxury to chose not to do certain things and people are compromising their time at home at the weekends. Getting up earlier (Before the partner and kids) to complete and deal with emails. Flipping the laptop open, after the kids go to bed, just to finish an outstanding task before you can chill out and relax.
All of this is ok and is what I call ‘utilising time effectively’. If it doesn’t get in the way, helps you sleep better, knowing it’s completed, or gives you an edge on a Monday morning, who cares? But, if it starts to get in the way or takes over every weekend, it is a problem. I am all for ‘work hard, play hard’ but if it’s just ‘work hard’ something is not right, unless it’s a 3-5 year career plan to get you somewhere.
Lot’s of people are working, in their time outside of working hours, and feeling the pressure to do work at the weekends. It’s becoming ‘the norm’ and sending a big message saying “That’s fine” to everyone around us, but, sometimes it’s not ok.
When did we start to de-prioritise ourselves and the people in our lives?
It’s important to get down time and have fun, time to recuperate and re-energise, mentally, physically and emotionally. I have an App on my phone that measures my wellbeing and most days it tells me I am ok but sometimes it tells me I need to take it easy. It gives me a reminder that, although I feel ok, my body is under pressure and needs to rest.
When I get those warnings I just make sure I do a couple of things differently. Maybe go for a nice gentle walk, or have a relaxing bath, go to the spa at the gym, do some breathing exercises or just sit and listen to music for a while. Something to take my mind away to a different place.
If I had a busy schedule today, I would have left the MM and picked it up during the week to make sure I had something for next week. I do have that luxury, but it’s not the same for everything and there are other things that have deadlines and need completing.
Here are some tips for dealing with the modern world:
- Use your time effectively and when it suits you (168 hours per week)
- Raise your awareness of when your body needs a rest, and do something to relax
- Challenge yourself to say no, more often (What tasks are you doing now that you shouldn’t be doing?)
- Prioritise yourself and your life, make different choices – this needs a balanced approach
- Live, laugh and love ❤️