Shut Down,Turn Off, or Burn? You Decide or Your Employer May Decide For You

Seven years ago, I made a conscious decision to pay strict attention to my work-life balance. I had been pushed to the ledge at my last job. Around that time, I had attended a parent meeting for the travel abroad program that my daughter was scheduled to go on when she was in high school. As I was sitting there asking questions, I noticed that the countries they were visiting included Italy...The one country I never got to go to in my 10 months abroad back in 1990. I traveled to many places but Italy was one I forfeited because my best friend came over to visit and I spent most of my graduation money.  So I informed my daughter that I would like to go on her trip too. I promised I wouldn’t cramp her style. After a little bit of coaxing and some bribery, she conceded.  

I mention that story because it was the first vacation I had taken where I didn’t have access to my computer.  And after experiencing a complete shut down, turned off mode, and being present in every moment, I made the commitment to making my vacations that way moving forward.

I took a whole week off last week. It was prompted by the craziness of gearing up for 2020 planning, and all of the coverage I’ve been seeing about physician burnout lately. According to HealthLeaders and Bluepoint Leadership Development, “Studies show that professional coaching may reduce physician burnout by 20%.

I decided that I didn’t need to be a physician nor did I need to play one on TV to be burnt out. I confidently met all of the criteria for being sizzled.  In fact, my colleagues would likely describe my state of mind over the past month as “up in flames”.  So I decided to not only take a week off. I also signed up to work with a life/business coach!

This past week, I turned off my notifications, spent time with my family and a good friend during my last minute ”staycation”.  And guess what?  I didn’t spontaneously combust, and neither did my business...thanks to my colleagues covering for me. 

Now I’m ready for a productive week. I’m grateful for my awareness of needing an attitude adjustment, but I’m most appreciative to be working for an employer who understands the importance of preserving its peeps. 

Check in with yourself...

Are you able to identify when you need a break?  And how supportive is your employer?  

Game, (Mind) SET, Match!

Being from NY, this time of year is always memorable for me.  There’s a distinct feeling in the fall air and the stellar sunsets over Long Island Sound that trigger childhood memories of attending The US Open each year.  I haven’t been to The US Open in the past 15 years, but each year I tune in for 2-weeks straight, watching intently as athletes rise and fall through the brackets of their dreams of being the champion on Arthur Ashe Stadium’s center court.

Photo credit: Darren Carroll/USTA

This weekend, I witnessed what I consider not only to be the most exemplary state of athleticism, but one of a stellar and unbreakable, mindset.  Admittedly, I am somewhat ashamed of initially passing judgement on the 23-year old Russian, Daniile Medvedev who was described as a “villain” in The New York Post for making rude gestures to the crowd heckling him in a previous match that week. He just struck me as a “punk”.  I was pulling for Rafa Nadal anyway, who is currently ranked No. 2 in the world in men’s singles tennis.  But as the match progressed, my perception of Medvedev changed drastically as the commentators were writing Medvedev off and prematurely claiming victory for Nadal.  Suddenly, I was won over by the “villainous punk”, and I found myself cheering for him as I witnessed the most admirable turn around in any sport I had ever seen.  I was intrigued by the mindset of the young Russian, and how he magically willed his mind and his body to fight back after getting kicked down in the first two sets.  What was even more impressive was the way Nadal responded as he raised his game even higher.  Mad respect for both players!

Medvedev ultimately ended up losing the match however he earned tremendous recognition from the tough crowd who were heckling the “villain” earlier that week.  News headlines now include him in the category of “warrior” along with his fearless opponent, Rafa Nadal.  The levels of athleticism and displays of mastered mindsets were beyond admirable and equally inspiring.

 

So it provoked me to question myself… “How deep can you dig?”  As I witnessed the adversity and challenge that Nadal gave Medvedev, I reflected on what moves me to dig deeper in order to achieve a stronger and more disciplined mindset in my personal and professional life.  Medvedev learned that he had more in his emotional and physical tank than he ever imagined.  He even said in an interview that after losing the first two sets, he struggled with what he was going to say in his speech when he lost the third set.  He was then interrupted by the visualization of being a champion stewing inside him, and before you knew it, the battle begun as Medvedev transformed and became not only a master of the court, but a master of his mind.  Although the fight was over with a win by Nadal, the battle was not lost by Medvedev.  The 23-year old Russian has nothing to be ashamed of.  I’m convinced that this isn’t the last we will see of him.

It’s no wonder why such renowned companies sponsor and align themselves with The US Open.    Whether you are a financial institution that provides the highest quality of service, a consulting firm specializing in innovation, a healthcare system acclaimed for excellence in research, patient care and education, a Swiss watch manufacturer that prides itself on performance and prestige, or a technology company that is tasked with delivering increased productivity with artificial intelligence…The environment and mindset are what differentiates them from competitors.  It is mindset that determines the precision of their overall performance and the reliability of reaching goals.

  

If you and your company were on center court, would your mindset be a one of a Champion?