“Slow down, you move too fast
You got to make the morning last
Just kicking down the cobblestones
Looking for fun and feeling groovy
Ba da-da da-da da-da, feeling groovy.”
― Paul Simon
“The 59th Street Bridge Song”
As you make your way through the day, week, and month, at what speed are you traveling?
I know that time is passing quickly and seems to speed up as we grow older. But in this strange extended-time of virtual work, social distancing, and unknown finish lines, how do you make it through the day?
I was pondering this because I am frequently asked, “How are you doing? And what are you up to these days?” The question is mostly sincere. Friends, colleagues, and family want to know how I am faring as the world around us continues to be uncertain. Some ask as a form of comparison, hoping that they are maintaining some level of productivity that is healthy.
My answer today was, “I make my lists and I plod through them every day.” I am not running, sprinting, or even skipping. I envision myself as a good work horse, head down, pulling my responsibilities through each day, and falling into bed tired when the sun sets.
This answer got me to wondering. Is the speed (expressed always metaphorically) of my pace a reflection of the pandemic, or the seasons, or my lack of a vacation away, or something else?
If I am honest with myself, my pace is variable. I do have days when I am light of step (especially when the sun is out). I can be found to be dancing in the mornings. Somedays, I am running and rushing through the list of chores as my workload has tighter deadlines.
On the weekends, I try to be less structured and scheduled as both my mind and body need to move at the rate they choose, versus what is demanded of them. And, I have the napping gear. When I go down, I take letting go of the world seriously; and snuggling with my four-footed friends is a real endorphin generator. The rate at which I speak is greatly affected by coffee, so much so, that I should come with a warning label.
Mornings are my time and I set like the sun.
How do you answer the question, “How are you doing? And what are you up to these days?”
This is a big question.
Today, I answered it in terms of the speed in which I am moving. I seem to be pacing myself for the last phase of this pandemic marathon as I, and the world, wait for a vaccine.
You might observe that I did not answer about my mental attitude, physical health, work security or some many other ways of considering the question. Fortunately, I can say that I am not ‘just surviving’ but until I lighten my load of pounds gained during the winter months, I am not yet ‘thriving’ either. However, I am proud to be plodding.
How about you?
I think I measure my speed and density of my responsibilities as an effort to maintain work-life balance. I have been quoted as saying, “The enemy of effectiveness is burnout.” I have blindly driven myself off the road of life and into the burnout ditch too many times to count.
This habit can take its toll on you in all ways, physical, mental, spiritual, and social. One of my goals during this pandemic besides staying healthy and contributing is to pace myself in such a way to skirt burnout. Metaphorically….to finish the marathon strong.
Leslie
“Leaders who insulate themselves from others
and choose to bear their burdens single-handedly
are destined for loneliness and burnout.
Leaders, like everyone else, need friends
and perhaps in light of the load they carry,
even more so.”
― Richard Blackaby
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