I have to say “I take my hat off to all those parents that have young children”. I have just had the Grandchildren staying for the past 3 days. They are 8,9 and 12 years old, all girls and are different in so many ways, similar in so many ways, they can be harmonious but can also fire off at each other, at a moments notice.
I don’t remember it being so energy intensive when we were bringing our kids up, but then, as my wife reminds me, I was away with work quite often🤔. I noticed that my normal patient approach, to certain things, was stretched and there were comments made on this – feedback can be brutal sometimes!
It felt like my name (Darren, Dad or Grandad) was the first one on everyones lips and sometimes all at the same time and, at times, while I was trying to concentrate, watch the football or listen to the news! Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with the family and the Grandchildren are really lovely kids, but trying to keep 3 of them happy and busy, is hard work.
This morning, I was sat watching England vs Nigeria because I booked the girls into ‘Pony Club’ and I had some ‘space’, and they were having fun, hopefully. The space gave me the chance to start this weeks MM whilst watching the game, but I was too distracted to finish things before my planned 11:30 meeting, so I parked the MM. I listened to the penalty shoot out on the radio, whilst driving to the venue (Well done England – phew!) and spent 90 minutes catching up on progress with a couple of projects, with my business partner.
After the meeting, I had the final task for the kids, to drop them to their Dad. Now, I am back on this MM, cup of coffee in hand, two snoring dogs and some peace and quiet so I can concentrate on things.
Having the extra responsibility over the last few days, reminds me of the build up of pressure I’ve experienced, when I’ve taken on too much at work. The times I’ve said “Yes” and then regretted it immediately, as I know it’s going to stretch me a little too far. Or, the times a task has been given to me when I have already shared how full my days are, and, that I am at breaking point.
The thing is, I normally have a coping strategy to get me through these times and, over the past few days, I haven’t been able to fit it in! The gym is my place to go and renew my energy. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but it works for me and helps get rid of any negative feelings, gives me a sense of achievement and floods my brain with endorphins, but I haven’t been for 3 days!
The good thing is, I have a holiday coming up soon, which I am really looking forward to. 10 days in Malta with my wife and ‘grown up’ kids, is something I really value. It brings us together once a year and helps us to share our year to date, swap some stories, recount previous holidays and just chill out together. I think we all need it this year.
But, before that, I need to get back into the gym and clear my head, which is what I am going to do right now, before I explode!
What is your ‘go to’ activity that helps you to de-stress, de-compress or chill out? How do you make sure you plan it in, on a regular basis?
If you manage or lead people, are you pushing them close to their breaking point, and, if so, what can you do to make sure they have their own strategies to help them cope?