I recently attended a conference and, amidst the early morning breakfast programs and evening receptions, vowed to still work out. As I stepped on the Precor Treadmill, at first, it doesn’t turn on. Then, I realized that it was a touchscreen. Since I always look for the manual workouts, I gravitated to the 3-2-1. By alternating 3 segments of high cardio with two segments of moderate cardio with 1 segment of low cardio during this workout, I stayed engaged and included the extra time needed to achieve the goal, still balancing my energy level.
I began to wonder: could we have better work-life integration if we applied this workout regimen and combination to our weekly work schedules? How might we begin this 3-2-1 career workout regimen?
Set a Goal
Look at your monthly or weekly schedule. Identify your 3-2-1 based on the information you have in advance. Write it down on a real calendar, your MS outlook, Google colander, or cell phone calendar.
Develop a Pattern
Set your weekly pattern and try to keep with it. Let your day three be the day you work to achieve optimal focus. This could mean working extra hours, getting in early, having all your major meetings, etc. Your day two could be the days you normalize and keep a good pace at work, yet not look to do anything extra. Your day one is the day you slow down. A low-intensity day. Perhaps this is where you have mostly planning time? Or meetings that require less preparation?
Celebrate Success!
Let this day be your “do nothing” zero (day). A day you celebrate your successes and you don’t think or do anything related to work.
With the intensity of our work lives, often we get caught in a never ending web of giving excessively to our campus, staff, and students – and neglect to care for ourselves. Hopefully, a new workout plan can jumpstart your journey!
With the start of another year, #SACareer turns the focus on Self Care. Nestle in with a cup of tea and enjoy some motivational words to get you in a positive frame of mind for the 2015-2016 year.
This post is part of our #SACareer series, addressing careers in student affairs, careers outside of student affairs, and the work of career services professionals. Read more about the series in Jake Nelko’s intro post. Each post is a contribution by a member or friend of the Commission for Career Services from ACPA. Our organization exists to benefit the careers of career services professionals, student affairs professionals, and anyone supporting students in the career endeavors. For more information about how to get involved with the Commission for Career Services or the #SACareer blog series, contact Cristina Lawson at clawson@warren-wilson.edu.
> BONUS <
Podcast With Conor McLaughlin on SA Work-Life Balance
