The Reset
One idea to help you reset your routine
The Reset
One idea to help you reset your routine
Be where your feet are
One of the most consistent findings from my research is that people feel that they lack Recovery (see graph below).
August is traditionally peak recovery time, when many of us switch off and take a break.
However, clients often tell me that switching off entirely is impractical. Most of them need to check in at least occasionally (as do I). So instead of having a fight over that, I suggest one piece of advice – and this is as much for myself as anyone:
Be where your feet are.
In other words, if you must log on, do it with full focus. Get something done and then switch off and go and be fully present in your holiday. Working in short bursts is fine. Feeling permanently on call less so.
That’s the thing about work life balance. It’s not really ‘balance’ we’re aiming for, it’s being present to the things that matter that counts. That’s what a High Performance Routine is really about – being intentional and committed to one thing, then another.
In my case, the thing that matters most to me is being present with my family. I want them to feel my presence in their bones, and never with my face half buried in a tiny screen.
And if I can do that – if I can be where my feet are this very afternoon – I’ll have had the most powerful form of recovery that will sustain me way through the busy and stressful times ahead.
The Recharge
A few things that have recharged me this month
The Recharge
A few things that have recharged me this month
My month:
The first half of July was busy with sessions in Birmingham, London and Kuala Lumpur, followed by the usual frantic clearing of the decks before a holiday.
But now I’m on holiday in Norfolk, UK. Possibly my favourite place on earth.
We always stay in the same place – a small place right on the beach where there’s nothing really to do, except a weirdly elaborate minigolf experience with dinosaurs.
But I love the familiarity, the routine, seeing the same old places. It’s not exactly exciting, but I’m increasingly aware of how much I’m going to miss it all.
The days where we eat looking out at the sea. The silly things my kids say. I’m going to miss walking up the sandy road to buy ice cream and feeling the warm air on my face and leaving money for the homemade jam in the honesty box.
Be where you feet are.
It’s only when I drop everything to be present that I realise how precious this time really is.
What I’m reading / watching / listening to:
I’m reading Life Times by Russell Foster – about the importance of circadian health. I’m convinced this is the new frontier of medicine, wellbeing, performance.
Something that recharged me:
Train journeys. There’s something about train journeys that help me think.
In my office, the same furniture in the same place almost prevents me thinking anew. It’s like I cannot change because it does not change.
But on trains the constant change of scenery seems to help my mind shift and think about what needs to change in my life.
