Last week I woke up tired.  All morning I kept trying to “get moving” but I was dragging.  Now, please don’t think I’m complaining – I’m not.  (My intent is to share my reality with you – and hopefully impart some wisdom in the process.)

For whatever reason, I was just plain not my normal, high energy, motivated, knock ’em dead self.

As I dragged myself into my office – and looked at my to-do list – I could feel the joy I normally receive from my business slinking away.

Mind over matter – right?

Fake it ’til you make it – right?

Just get started and the momentum will carry you – right?

WRONG!!!!

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Image provided by imagerymajestic / freedigitalphotos.net

Recently, Kim Pagano (host of the Kim Pagano show) shared this thought, “It’s hard to be there for other people, and fill up their cups, when  you are gurgling the last bit of the water in your cup.”

With those words ringing in my head – and my to-do list staring me in my face – I realized I was at odds with myself.

I needed a plan.

[Tweet “I couldn’t ignore my to-do list . . . but boy was I tired!”]

So – I quickly prioritized.

  • What absolutely needed to be finished TODAY?
  • What could be moved to the next day or next week?
  • What could be delegated?
  • What tasks could be deleted?

I identified two items that absolutely needed to be completed – finished them both in 90 minutes.  Then, reshuffled my calendar and took the rest of the day off.

The result?  Come on, I’m sure you know how this story ends!  I’m relaxed, rejuvenated, and much, much, much more productive after taking some “me” time!

The time “lost” by taking the majority of the day off – was “gained” through my efficiency the next few days.  But even more importantly, a lesson my coach taught me was once again reinforced, “to be effective for others, you need to take care of yourself”.

Sometimes – we all need a reminder!

What do you do to make sure your cup stays full?  Please post below!

 

Main image provided by Stuart Miles / freedigitalphotos.net