Life "Lines"

Alright, so when we run competitively there are always lines involved. They mark the lanes on a track, the start and ends of reps, every single block of the side walk, and of course, the start and ends of races. We cross them in the beginning of runs with early ambition. We may not feel great when we cross the start line, but we know how that compares to how we feel when we're nearing the finish line but not quite there.

Runners are accustomed to this scenario and can apply our practice to our work life. That doesn't make us superheros by any stretch of the mind, but we do know how perseverance benefits the performance and pays off.

Currently, Mollie and I are both at a place in our work lives where we are nearing the finish lines of the "season". We both just finished the spring season coaching our outdoor track teams (a long season might I add). Next in the sights of our "work seasons" are two things. Mollie's teaching wraps up in a week and my summer classes wrap up in 2 weeks. This finish line brings us to the much needed rest and recovery of a month of summer. August begins it all again with coaching our cross country teams, the beginning of teaching the 2011-2012 school year and some college courses thrown on top.

Everyone that shares wild professional schedules can appreciate what I'm about to state:
Please take your ventures one "rep" at a time. Please look to the next line ahead, pull yourself forward, do it well, and persevere with a result you can be pleased with. But for the love, reward yourself with some rest and recovery. If you don't, burnout is inevitable. Find your balance mentioned in an earlier post, but remember, there will be moments of having to push hard. Look ahead to the line, the proverbial "pool and beverage of choice" of recovery is just beyond!

Here is my finest example of what I'm speaking of-
In Boston, I had a boss at a yoga and wellness studio that I worked at as a personal trainer. He owned and operated the studio as a yoga instructor and a personal trainer. He charged $120 for an hour session and was completely booked for the next 2 years out for training sessions. The man trained and instructed 10 hours a day, 6-7 days a week for 2 months straight at a time.

This is how he managed to balance and stay sane:
He would work 530 hours in two months, but then he would take a 2 week vacation to Belize, India or just somewhere relaxing in the US. No work, no calls from clients, just him and his wife for two weeks. He did it all the time. The guy was amazing and his clientele was unwavering. I believe this was simply because he practiced working through the lines, and recovered after each 2 month "rep".

We may not be going to Belize, but you better believe I know how to refresh! Work through the lines people, then kick back and enjoy.