“There’s only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self” – Aldous Huxley
I had a conversation on Wednesday with a group of individuals who are responsible for ensuring successful transitions from the Senior Manager/Director role to Partner. This group is tasked with ensuring new Partners fully meet expectations in their new role. And while growing one’s book of business, winning new client work, sharpening firm leadership skills, and mentoring our people are important, none of these skills will fully blossom if we don’t first take care of ourselves!
Whether you are an Associate working towards Senior or a Senior Manager/Director striving to be a Partner, how you live your life outside of the office affects your performance inside of the office. How much sleep are you getting? How much television do you consume on a daily basis? How much water do you drink per day? Are you exercising? Do you maintain a consistent gratitude practice? How you spend your time outside of work is directly correlated to the quality of your work performance.
How can we focus on client needs, budget forecasts and report deadlines if we consistently eat like crap, fall asleep in front of the TV and live a predominantly sedentary lifestyle?
It is vitally important to consume 3-4 liters of water per day, sleep a minimum of 7-8 hours per night, exercise for a minimum of 150 minutes per week, limit television and sugar consumption, and write down 3 things you are grateful for on a daily basis! Establishing these daily routines will not only help you feel better, but they will also help you perform better, both at and away from work!
While it is true that everything you do at work either contributes to or takes away from the value you add to your Company, it is just as true that the decisions you make when your laptop is turned off and you power down for the day/week are equally as important. As you head into the weekend and the rest of the year, pay close attention to your daily habits. Are they contributing to or taking away from the quality of the life you intend to create?
As Joe Duncan once said, “Wake up and go to work on yourself before you go to work for anyone else…”
Enjoy what comes of today!
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