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With the flu still sweeping through my office like the plague, it got me thinking: even without a physical fever, I’ve been feeling tired and stressed at work lately (as you may have noticed from the topics of recent posts), which has a negative ripple effect on all the other areas of my life.
In a recent White Hot Truth article about our relationship to sleep, the author quotes the following message:
“Tiredness is a kind of sickness…It is not a matter of how long we sleep that determines whether we feel tired. It is waste and negative thoughts and actions that create tiredness. Create positive thoughts and elevated actions and you will take strength from that, and your tiredness will leave you.” -Dadi Janki
It struck me that part of the reason I was feeling so tired was that I let work completely take over my life. I stopped doing things that gave me energy. Yes, work has been particularly busy and chaotic lately; but I have a choice in how I respond, and the more I let things that energize me fall out of my routine, the more tired I become, and the less able I am to perform high-quality work. It’s not a good cycle or a place I want to operate from, and it sets the wrong example for the people around me.
As they say, the first step is admitting you have a problem. After coming to the conclusion that my work/life balance was completely out-of-whack (despite my recent post on prioritzation), I asked myself three key questions to uncover specific problem areas and brainstorm solutions.
3 Questions to take your “quality of life” temperature:
- What are the areas of my life that I’ve let slip?
- How healthy are my current habits?
- What can I do to replenish my energy and feel excited again?
The last step toward improving your quality of life is commitment - choosing actions that you believe will improve your quality of life and allow you to feel healthy and energetic again.
10 Small Actions to Improve My Quality of Life:
- Exercise daily
- Get outside as often I can
- Drink more water
- Smile more
- Go to bed earlier, watch less TV
- Snooze less
- Engage in meaningful 1:1 conversations with people
- Multitask less. Focus on what I’m doing at the moment and enjoy it
- Take 3 deep breaths smack-dab in the middle of the day to slow me down when things get crazy
- Be nicer to myself.
Those are my quality of life improvements (I would like to note that they are working already!)…what are yours?
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Comments
02.27.09
I'll re-post here to ensure you get adequate love:
"Jenny,
It just depends for me, but most of the time it balance of some sort. Sometimes that means watching a Gary Vaynerchuk video, getting pumped up, and spitting out some content. A lot of times though, it involves slowing down to read a book, chat with friends I haven’t seen in awhile, and connect with new peeps.
I exercise virtually everyday, and that’s a necessity.
I probably need more sleep, but alas, then I wouldn’t be hustling, and there’s too many opportunities just waiting for me to sweep up as all the the phony’s get weeded out in this economy.
Thanks for sharing this post. I think the 3 questions are a good approach, something anyone could effectively integrate into their own lives.
02.27.09
You spoke right to me. Fabulous post.
02.27.09
I'm with you on the tiredness thing. Working full-time really does impede sleeping in! But, seriously, great list of things you're doing to improve your quality of life. They're things we should all try.
02.27.09
@Ryan - thanks for the double-comment-love, you rock! Posting my reply here and on my blog (seems funny to have comments running in two places).
You bring up a great point. I think it really does come down to balance and you’re right, that might mean different things on different days. I like what you said about exercise and sleep. I could probably sleep more too, but it would involve giving things up that I’m not ready to do (like my side endeavors and evening twitter sessions ;) Your comment also reminds me that, as cliche as it sounds, variety is the spice of life. A little balance and variety go a long way!
@Liza and @Samantha - I'm so glad you liked the post! That makes my day :D Isn't it amazing how much energy work takes? For me, even if I work a reasonable number of hours and get a decent amount of sleep, there's usually so much going on within each minute that I'm completely exhausted by the time I get home. Which makes it all the more important to draw boundaries and focus on relaxing/re-energizing, I suppose :)
02.27.09
These all are good suggestions and tactics. By the way, there have been studies that suggest that multitasking is not efficient. Sequential focus can get a lot more done.
02.28.09
Good topic
It seems in these troubling times people are taking a step back
and evaluating what really matters in life.
I guess we all are trying to figure out what we want to be when we grow up
03.01.09
Realy like the post.
I agree totally with the tiredness thing. IT's definitely not necessariy the amount if sleep that you get, but the quality of sleep.
For me, exercising, taking a quick 5 minute walk outside and a glass of water usually re-energizes me enough to carry on.
03.01.09
@KateNonymous - it's so true. I used to be really proud of myself for being a great multi-tasker until I read Getting Things Done (and countless books on "being present"). Pretty soon I realized that multi-tasking just makes me feel chaotic and stressed, and in most cases doesn't lead to more productivity. I also catch myself sometimes trying to multitask while listening to someone talk - that's the worst!
@Rattlerman - ain't that the truth! It seems like everyone is really feeling the pinch right now, both those who are employed and those who aren't. I believe that times of stress and change actually create opportunities for growth - so it's probably a good thing that you are re-evaluating what's important and what you want to be when you grow up :D
@James - thanks so much for the compliment! It's amazing what a five minute walk, some fresh air and a glass of water can do. And the best part? They're all free! ;-)
03.01.09
Hi Jenny! This is great advice. When work or life is really feeling crazy, it is amazing what taking an analytical step back can do. Looking at the big picture of your state of affairs can help you to see where things are out of balance. It is worth it when you start to see things improve at work and everywhere else.
Great post!
03.01.09
Thanks Trina! I am all about the big picture...it's so easy to lose sight of, and yet nothing is more important. Keep up the great work at Leading Associates too - I checked out your website earlier and really like it!
03.02.09
Jenny,
This post could not have come at a better time for me. I have personally been feeling "exhausted" yet very unproductive. With a new more challenging job, my life has become consumed by it at times and I have found little time for exercise and doing the things I love. I've even begun cutting corners on the things I really enjoy - like my Toastmasters Club and bikeriding.
I actually printed out the quote by Dadi Janki and put it up right on the edge of my computer at work so it will remind me to take control of my life and focus on positive thoughts and actions, and I will ultimately be happier and more productive all around.
Thank you!
03.18.09
@Dani I am so sorry it's taken me so long to reply to your comment! Thanks so much for sharing - I know how hard and exhausting a new job can be. The learning curve is so steep that it feels like a ton of work just to keep your head above water! Hang in there - I know you'll find ways to bring those things you enjoy (like bike riding) back into your life. Try one at a time - pick the one that is the most fun and start there.
And big thanks to you! comments like yours make my whole week. It means a lot to know that my post has given you a new perspective on a challenging situation. Would love to hear how things progress :)
03.19.09
In my line of work self care is very important. It has become part of the way I live, think & breathe! It is something I really enjoy & don't feel selfish about. I eat healthy food, drink water everyday, work out regularly, rest, spend time doing the things I love & spend time with people I love! I happen to be going away this weekend for a weekend of facials, massages & rest!
After I've heard a difficult life story in my Practice I will often go for a walk and clear my mind to help me keep perspective.
Thanks for an interesting post Jenny. It is good to be reminded about these things!
03.19.09
@Serena - thanks so much for your comment! I love your philosophy on self-care. The things you mention - healthy eating, working out, water, rest, spending time with people you care about - are fantastic. I mean really, what else is there? :D
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