SBS02/24 – A short break to Lanzarote. Once again, I would say “A well needed break” but I am biased. Apart from the travel (Flight delays), the experience was amazing and the weather was kind to us. If you have ever been to Lanzarote, you know the winds can play a big part in your time there.
When the sun is out, the wind can trick you into thinking that it is cool, which is when you get burnt, without even realising it. But, when the sun goes behind the clouds, the wind has people covering up and going inside to stay warm. I loved the contrast, as too much of either is no good, and too much sun, with no wind, can be unbearable.
On this break we managed to relax, stay by the pool or drift down to the beach to do some people watching. We often make up stories about people we see and what, appears from our perspective, to be going on in their lives. I’m sure most of you do the same, even if it’s just in your own head. 🤪
I got one book finished, started another one, watched some football, had a few beers and ate too much. We did, however, go to the gym twice in our 5 day trip, which of course, justified the over indulgence, NOT!
Arriving back to Gatwick at 12:05am Friday morning and then having to drive home to Bournemouth, was not great but the roads were clear and we made good time, getting home at 2:25am. Unfortunately, I had agreed for a builder to visit at 0800 to help loosen some drain covers so my sleep quality and quantity were impacted. I thought I’d be fine, as I only had a couple of calls booked in, but in reality, I was sluggish all day.
I drank too much coffee and drifted between tasks, not really completing much, pretending I was productive, but I really wasn’t. Thankfully it was Friday and, as I am away to Manchester today, via train, I factored in a 5 hour ‘admin catch-up’ to do using this time, so no harm done.
This just goes to show you that, if we don’t look after ourselves, it does impact our productivity. I did get through the day but it wasn’t great. I didn’t go to the gym as planned, I avoided some bigger tasks and I had loads of breaks. The build up of late nights (at the Irish bar with live music) didn’t help. Too much beer and food, and not a lot of water, didn’t help much either. Not enough sleep and long travelling days either side of the holiday, did not help, at all.
How many of you do this on a daily basis? I don’t mean visiting the Irish bar but it could be watching films or playing on consoles late at night. Eating late in the evening after a long day at work, possibly the wrong stuff that sits on the stomach and disrupts your sleep. Things like drinking coffee, and not a lot of water, in the daily life in meeting after meeting.
All of these small things build up their impact and eventually you have a bad, non productive, day like me! So, I need another holiday to get over the holiday I just had 😎
Top tips to avoid having a lack lustre day:
- Always take your water bottle to meetings and sip all day (Non negotiable)
- Restrict your coffee intake and stop caffeinated coffee after 11am (Impacts your sleep)
- Get out at lunch, leave your desk, stretch your legs and refocus your mind (Non negotiable)
- Take two, 15 minute breaks, either side of lunch, to completely switch off
- Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night (Non negotiable)
I hope you have a great week and avoid having a ‘Friday feeling’ like I did last week.