Taking Care of You...

by William Singleton

We don't often define ourselves as care givers, but many of us often find ourselves taking care of our employees, taking care of our clients, and taking care of those to whom we report. This of course does not consider any amount of care giving we may provide outside the job.

There is a classic TV show from the 80’s called Cheers. You might have heard about it. It’s the theme song that has struck my recent interest. “Making the way in the world today takes everything you got. Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot”. By the way, what happened to those great theme songs?

How do we find that space and time to take a break from all our worries, challenges, problems, COVID, and everyday work situations? Finding a healthy way to recharge and to get away even for just a little bit makes such a difference.

Think about the last time you talk with a colleague holding a similar position as yours in another organization, maybe the conversation started because you shared a work-related problem and before long, you both started sharing your deepest concerns and greatest dreams. You put the phone down and thought… that felt great! “Someone else out there understands the struggle”.

Today this short moment is not meant to be instructive but just to give us pause to think about what we are doing to slow down, take the time to talk with trusted others, and find time to recharge. 

Workplace stress including “un-knowing” is ongoing and a rapidly growing concern. Poorly managed, this stress can manifest in many ways that are counterproductive to our success and the success of those around us. 

When squeezing a stress ball is not enough, “wouldn’t you like to get away”, “where everybody knows your name?” This week take time to take care of you, make it a regular practice on your journey of success!

Reference, Where Everybody Knows Your Name written by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo