The last month or two, I got so busy that I stopped going to the gym in the morning and took next to no free time for myself or family. I was beginning to feel a little burned out and it finally hit me. What am I doing?
If I do not take care of myself, I won't be able to keep up this pace. If I am doing this for my family, why am I shorting them of my time?
A couple of weeks ago, I decided to restructure my life a little. A minimum of once a week from now on I will take a couple of hours out of my day to go swimming or snorkeling in the ocean. Three days a week I will be back in the gym at 5:30am to start the day right. The last couple of weeks I began hitting the sun and surf with my oldest son Daniel. This week I added back in the trips to the gym. Boy am I sore, but loving it. I already feel my energy levels rising and my attitude improving.
I have also made a point of turning off my computer for a couple of hours 2 or 3 evenings a week and spending more family time. This was hard for me. I have to admit, I am a work-aholic. I actually feel guilty when I stop working. My wife and I have seen a couple of movies together in the last couple of weeks. Something we rarely did in the past. I have even begun to play Wii with my sons. I may be a bit too competitive, I made Professional on Golf, Bowling and Baseball and set the high scores. My sons are now feeling the challenge to beat Dad. My wife says it is a testosterone thing.
As part of every successful business plan you must include time to take care of you health and time with family. Without your health your body will shut you down at some point. The second is obvious; we all work to support our family and life style.
Good luck in 2008 and remember to take time out for your family and yourself.
Randy - This is also one of my goals, I got off track because of an injury and I can't wait to get back on my exercise routine. You made a great point, if you don't take care of your health you won't be able to maintain the pace. Best wishes.
Congrats on making a restructure work for you. My swimming membership lapsed the month Alyssa was born, and I still haven't renewed it. I've said several times the past couple of months that I was going to go up there, and even today, we had plans to go swimming, but her nap ran late, and Mike brought of Austin again, so all heck broke lose... hopefully we'll go swimming tomorrow!
Randy, I think you've made some valuable choices! Your family is more important than work. I'm sure your wife is thrilled.
Yeah...you better take care...look what happened to me....HAD to take a break...but flu is no fun...so take care Randy.
Jennifer - Hope you heal fast and get back on track. Good Luck.
Donna - Swimming is great. i live on an island with some of the best beaches on earth. I have no excuse.
Linda - She has definitely encouraged me in that direction.
Sally - Rest and get well we need you healthy.
I hear you....same challenge I face....turning off work and taking time to chill. Have been working to do better since Jan and am getting there. Good luck to you.
this is a great attitiude to have that more of the real estate professionals all need to consider because it is so hard to get distracted and lose focus on what is really important and why we work so hard.
Ah! Balance! Snorkeling in the ocean sure is a big help!
Randy, I need to get back to the gym too. We do the family walks thing and I bike ride occasionally, but not as much as I used to or would like to. You are right though, its something we need to make time for.
Allen - Good luck on balancing your life.
Naoma - I have been guilty of not balancing my life enough. i hope to do better the rest of the year.
Patricia - I feel dumb for not doing it before.
Steve - It is so easy to get busy and not do it.
Randy - I am with you. I am out on my bike around 5am in the morning. It is difficult to get in physical activity around the family and work but it needs to be done. Keep it up!
Randy, As hard as it is sometimes we must take care of ourselves and spend time with family. These really are the things that matter. TLW and I have always had the saying "There are NO real estate emergencies" We don't have to answer the phone everytime it rings, check our email every 15 minutes or run out to show a property at the last minute. None of these things are emergencies an can all wait.
Randy,
Don't stop the exercise even if you feel you lost some time and energy. Do something different for about a week or two that is still exercise related. I't good to change it up a little. Even if it's with you family. Improvise! I hurt my back last week in the gym and went back too fast and now I lost 3 days if recovery. I mowed my 12,000 sq ft lawn in the hot sun and got a good cardio workout. I also did some power walking and ran about a mile. I will be attempting to go back to light weights and full cardio Monday morning.
If all goes well..I'll increase it back to where I was four times a week. If I feel better and there aren't any set backs then I'll be back. As far as existing...you have to keep the stamina up in order to work too so even if you are at your desk working..take 5 minutes and do some ab exercising in your chair and trunk twists and anything else you can fit in while working...it's easy and before you know it ...you just did a work out. It's better than nothing and of course people will look at you like what is he doing so weired? Who cares...they ain't burning calories watching .
Just remember...your competition won't be able to keep up with you in the end.
Excellent advise. This morning we took a 4 mile trail hike (as a family) and then when swimming for about an hour. I am pooped, but I feel good!
Your Friend in Charlottesville!
Hi Randy,
Sometimes we need to take a break, our muscles have memory so you will come back stronger than ever! :)
Randy...It's good to keep the priorities straight. It wll alos help you streamline you business routine.
I just wrote a blog about hitting the pause button of life today. It is sooooooooo important to keep life in balance isn't it? I could so easily be a workaholic. I devote myself wholeheartedly.... the need to get to the gym is so important for me.
Randy I have been non stop for a while now, and after reading this I think that I will consider doing something similar.
Oh finding time for yourself is so important. Thanks and this is sometime I have to continue to work at.
IMNJ - I find that if I do it first thing before I see my computer I have the best chance of working out.
B.B. - You are right, real estate is not a life and death occupation.
Neal - I had a couple of clients who are good friends nickname me the 24/7 man. I have to stay in shape to keep that reputation.
Charles - I am planning to start hiking this year. I just have to get a couple of friends together to join me.
Suzanne - I am feeling it coming back. I was sore the first day back though.
William - I have to work on the streamlining part more.
Lindsey - I am a work-aholic. I just have to put the same energy in family and my health.
George - We all need to do it.
Nanette - I am also reminding myself by writing this.
If it is important, it is important to make time for it. My wife and I qualified for discounts from our health insurance co. for documenting gym attendance-it forced us to look and see how often we really go to the gym.
Thanks for posting about this, Randy. It is a good reminder to us all. I have been sticking to my spinning class 2-3 times a week for a year and a half now, and wow has it made a difference! My body and my mind feel better. Now, I'm working on turning off the computer a bit more...we'll see how that goes!
Glad to hear of all the good progress, Randy. I'm at the CyberStars conference in Orlando and I was up at 5:30 to go to the gym and use the treadmill for half an hour. You're so right - you have to ask WHY you're working hard - and if you're giving up time with those you love, what's the point? Those relationships are the key.
Michael - I like discounts for insurance. That might help keep me focused.
Elaine - I will probably always be attached to a computer. I just need to turn it off during family time.
Sharon - Glad to hear you are sticking with it. Yoyu have done a great job of taking care of yourself. I know you must be feeling healthier.
Randy.... this is excellent, because the same is happening to me. I think this should have been featured, but I am late to the party. Just the last month, I was going to start to walk and to a crunch machine... I have done both twice... I got busy.... and not burnt out and my energy level is low.... I actually was ready to start again tomorrow. It will be two years while blogging on AR in October... just the last 3 to 4 months, I am barely blogging 10 to 12 a month... and hardly read or comment... It's just so hard to keep it at a certain pace... and I can see some on here in about 6 months, burn out... these should read this. Nice job..
Great post - I used to walk every morning and loved it - got off track and have not gotten back on - Hopefully, I will recommitt - thanks!
Hi Randy,
Thanks for this post. I have been an active runner here in Austin Texas for many years and one day a couple of yeras ago, sat on the couch and stopped...It was not a good experience.I gained weight and frankly was not as easy going as when I exercized. Last summer i started over and since then lsot 30 lbs and my business improved exponentially (along with my attitude). I hope other see and heed your great advice. I am just now leaving for a morning run, so have a great day!
Russell
Hi Randy, Thanks for the inspiration. You are so right. Our business is so tied to the computer, that we have to make time to compensate with physical activity. I started off the year pretty well, but I've got to get back in my routine.
Russell - Glad to hear you are back to active and that business is improving. Good luck!
Vicki - I have to push myself, it seems as I am getting busier it is too easy to turn on the laptop instead of going to the gym.
Jeff - I am also finding less time for blogging as my schedule gets busier every month. Partially do to the success from my blog. :)
Norma - It is a great way to start the day. Good luck.
Randy, thanks for the wake call with this post. When I was exercising on a regular bases everything was better to include my blood sugar. All work and no play might just kill you if your lucky.
Frank - No question for me, it makes a big difference in everything.
Randy - Hmmm, sounds like me. My gym attendance has definitely fallen by the wayside as I have been busier these last few months. The days of work are longer and I find it hard to step away, even for a few hours. Not a good pattern. This is a good inspiration for me to start getting back wtih my original program of exercising...somehow I still man agedto get it all done.
Jeff
I can relate. After I left the Police Department to work real estate full time I found myself sitting in front of the computer most of the day. Before I knew it I went from a totally in shape SWAT Officer to an over weight couch potato. I have made an effort the last 4 months to go running, biking, and the gym and have knocked off 25 pounds but still have 30 more to go!
Jeff - I try to go to the gym at 5:30am when I wake up and not stop to think about it. If I turn on the laptop, I will never make it.
Tony - It is too easy to let ourselves go in this line of work. We have to stay disciplined.
Randy-I feel I am in a similar situation. It is especially the case when the surf is quiet. That being said, I find I have my most success when I make appointments for myself. Just like I have an appointment to meet a client, I make an appointment to go for a run or a swim. When I wait for some time to open up, it doesn't as it always feels like there is something to do in this business.
Three days a week I will be back in the gym at 5:30am to start the day right. The last couple of weeks I began hitting the sun and surf with my oldest son Daniel.
Thanks Randy,
This is a very good reminder. I'm spending too much time on the computer. Just a minor Active Rain addiction. :) I need to do more than just walk the dogs. That old saying is true: "If you don't use it, you lose it."
Pete - I am finally getting back on track. 5:30am three mornings a week in the gym and one day of swimming. If the weather holds up I will be in the ocean at 7:00am tomorrow.
Not Yet Licensed - I spend a lot of time o the computer. That is OK if we get the other stuff in also.
One thing I find really great is the gyms that are now opening that offer 24/7 access!!!
Thanks for the reminder Randy as I am guilty. I thought everyone in your neck of the woods was out surfing by 6:00 in the morning.
Barbara & Bill - I joined the YMCA instead of the 24 Hour club, because the 24 Hour club is just too crowded. I like getting in early and having the place to myself.
Cameron - A lot of folks are out that early to catch waves before they go to work.
Great Job Randy. I started cycling and it sure has improved my thoughts as well as my figure.
I also am turning off my computer at night. My son was getting a little upset with me always being busy.
Cycling has made some major changes in my life.
Family is first!
Tyler - I see the computer is taking up more hours again for me. I have to budget my time better.
WOW what a great post! I am a full believer in taking care of yourself and that it is hard to take care of family, work and other things if you are not taking care of yourself! Well said!
Sarah - I agree completely.