I absolutely cannot believe we are here already at the end of August. I wanted to touch base with everyone who has been waiting for the August Champion. I am disappointed to say that I was unable to put the time into this piece this month. However, I do think this is the perfect opportunity to bring up time management, stress, priorities and our wellbeing.
I first had the realization on or about August 20th that the August Champion piece may not happen this month. However, I still held out hope that I would be able to put the necessary work and love into the piece to complete it within a week. Around the 25th it became obvious my high hopes were ridiculously unrealistic. When I select a champion they are someone that I regard as special and deserving of the time and effort the piece takes. Therefore, I did not want to throw something together and cheat that spectacular person.
It did occur to me this would be a perfect opportunity to talk about stress and our obsession to be perfect to all people at all times. I am the first person to preach on balance. I try not to accept commitments I don't think I will be able to or will not want to keep. Above everything else, I know the way for me to be the best me possible I need a few things: proper sleep, good nutrition, regular workouts, and a little time to myself. I have learned in these 33 years, if I don't have most or all of these basic things on a regular basis I am no good in other parts of my life. I need these basic things to be a good wife, coach, employee, daughter, and friend. Notice I said, "good". I will never be perfect at all times in all of these roles. I accept that.
I think the best way to think of balance and being the best you you can be is thinking in terms of a bank account. I make deposits: adequate sleep, proper nutrition, regular workouts, and time to myself. I also make withdrawals: cooking and cleaning, taking care of the poodle, completing projects for work, etc. When you start bouncing checks because there aren't enough deposits it creates financial distress. It's the same for your life. You have to have enough energy to be the best version of yourself. Try to think about what your deposits and withdrawals are and see if you are in the red.
This month, I got my basic needs in, but I had a few other competing tasks. These tasks took me temporarily away from some things that I love to do. Highlighting that special person is one of these things. I had to accept that it wasn't going to happen this month, and I had to be OK with that. As disappointed as I am, I am hopeful that being honest about not being able to do it all, all the time, will help someone out there. It's a good time to think about your emotional bank account. Are you making too many withdrawals?
