Monitoring the Pace of Life
When I ran my last marathon in Seattle, I forgot my Garmin. I was truly panicked as I rely on this device to track my pace – make sure I’m not going too fast or too slow to reach my goal. I’m realizing now, with a little break in the work schedule, a Garmin might come in handy to monitor my life’s pace. Or would it?
I recently lost a marketing contract job that I really enjoyed because HP decided to dump the entire Palm division, the one for whom I was working. Given that I had just secured a contract extension, I was surprised by the announcement and left without a back-up employment plan. As such, I’ve had an extension of my end-of-summer un-paid vacation leave.
The first few weeks of “freedom” were spent checking off items on my rather lengthy TO DO list which had been denied much love and attention. From catching up on the accounting books to getting my second book off to the publisher, it has been so nice to complete some of these well overdue tasks.
Meanwhile, I have begun some low-budget house projects (because wouldn’t you know it, you have the time when you don’t have the money and the money when you don’t have the time). I’ve been ripping down shower doors, patching holes in drywall (suffered during shower door removal) and learning how to use my husband’s drill, among other things.
Another observation I’ve had is my ability to be a pretty darn good house-wife if given the time. Not only have I been better at organizing my son’s schedule and facilitating his homework, but I’m keeping the house tidier, preparing delicious dinners stress-free and even baking desserts.
I feel like someone just handed me this big golden platter of TIME, and I am enjoying it far more than I ever envisioned I would. Rather than stressing out about the next paid contract that is going to come my way, I’m trying to enjoy these precious moments I have to myself.
In fact, just the other day, Luke said to me, “Mom, I am so sorry you have to be home by yourself!” And I quickly responded, “Don’t be! I’m loving every minute of it.”
During my “down-time,” I have realized how hard I pushed myself during the last 6-8 months. Apparently, I’d lost my “Garmin for Life” and kept the pace a bit too fast for too long a period of time. Sure, a 30 hour/week contract job may not sound too stressful on the surface. But when you throw in maintaining a blog, working on two books, building a new website (work still in process), captaining a tennis team and running a marathon, plus all the other stuff it takes to run a household, the schedule starts to look a little overwhelming.
So why can’t I – and many other overachievers like myself – realize when the pace is too fast for too many miles? I suppose the occasional illness is a nice reminder, but otherwise I’m oblivious to the pain of being “overworked.” With or without a gadget to track my progress or setbacks, I often fail to observe my own reality. Even when friends or family take note.
During the Seattle marathon, without the trusted Garmin, I tried to pace myself according to how I felt. When I felt good, I sped up a bit. When I was feeling tired, I slowed down. At the end, I still reached my goal, even without special devices, because I listened to my body and reacted accordingly.
Now if I could just learn how to use this safe and effective monitoring process when I’m not running marathons!
If you suffer the same affliction that I do – working too hard, fitting too much into the schedule and taking very few breaks to rest and recover – then try my marathon strategy.
Listen to your body. If you’re feeling great, speed up and enjoy the ride. When you are overworked, tired or stressed – take a break. Slow down. Enjoy some of life’s small, sweet treasures that you may be missing midst a hurried pace.
You can still reach your goals without a gadget to dictate your pace.
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