CHANGE MAKING
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
I’ve found that exhaustion and stress are connected somehow.
Not to imply that is true for anyone else, but mine for sure.
Truthfully, I think we all know that, but I realize I’m often in denial, more content to endure than confront. Easier to carry on without making real change.
Weekend breaks are fantastic, in theory.
I love those lazy weekend mornings, but sometimes they find me ‘weakened’ from the week I just had so that I don’t get everything done (the work and the play) I expected, so the first of the week rolls around, and I’ve got a weekend of pushed-over work on my back. It’s not unwanted, but it’s a weight to carry into Monday-Tuesday – and, you guessed it, by the end of Monday and Tuesday, it’s mostly gone. But so are Monday and Tuesday – gone!
That change required is not the insertion of an extra day between Friday and Monday (though that could help!) it’s NOT by becoming a more professional procrastinator/punter, and it’s not by doing less with my full days, but by focusing on things with more punch, power, and potential.
Yes, I’ll still relish weekends, my wake-up time – coffee, the compressed weekend leisure/weekend relaxation combine to form a fine-tuned refrain to generate tension-free laxative power, and then back to work.
But change moves us physically and emotionally, change for the better, of course – maybe 1% a day improvement. Forget the math of compounding, but it’s a 1% change every day the same as 100% change in 100 days?
Our bodies are constantly replacing our cells, and we think little of it – we are reminded by dandruff and nail clippings, ‘dust’ when we change sheets on the bed, so it’s not a leap to realize we have a change and replenishment of our brain cells too.
So here is a challenge I offer anyone to share.
Pick something difficult to do, something that will improve your work – and make sure it’s something that enhances disposition too …
It might be something that will make your work more efficient; it might be something that has you taking a new approach, adding a new task or routine. Pick something innovative, pick that ‘thing you’ve been meaning to tackle’ – and pick something that takes you into uncomfortable territory, something that takes your mindset up a notch. I’ve picked two lately, taking about 30 minutes each day. I’ve fit them in. I’m doing them every day. I haven’t consciously decided to take something off my plate, but I know some things won’t get done, some things will fall by the wayside, the least essential lower priority things will wait, be discarded and soon forgotten.
Those two new things, re-prioritizing my daily timeline, are making a difference already. No, customers aren’t beating down the door yet, but I’m doing different – and feel uplifted, more confident and clear than in a long time. I’m not sure if it’s the two new things or how this process makes me feel. Probably some of each.
I’ve found that exhaustion and stress are connected somehow.
Exhilaration relieves both …
And, speaking of change-making – by the time anyone reads this column, most of the results should be tabulated and definitive: yesterday’s municipal elections – for Calgary results – click here.
Reader feedback:
Regarding the videos that accompany Musings: The 8 minute premier was too long. Today’s was a good length. I would start short and expand as you find your way. I think you may be onto something, RH, Calgary, AB