The FUNK
Looking at the clock, it is now 10:15 a.m. and I have been sluggish all morning. I have a big project that I am committed to getting a piece completed today, and I have renewed my exercise commitment — again (maybe for the 100th time). I have been sitting at my desk for three hours making very little progress, and I have not had the energy to knock out my workout either. The thought of a workout feels like a truckload of cement sitting in my lap.
I’m not focused, my energy is low and I keep finding easy things to be busy with, including reading Ole Miss football headlines. Sitting here is not working, so I force myself to go upstairs and at least get in the gym. Finally, I began my workout and I am dreading this even worse than normal.
The Little PUSH
As I complete my first rotation of exercises, it takes me about 10 minutes longer than usual but I do notice my blood circulating a little better. My thoughts are becoming less fuzzy. Round two goes better but not up to par. Round three finds me feeling a little energized. In fact, I began thinking about a different approach to my project.
The Big RESULTS
Quick shower, play with Oliver for five minutes, and back at my desk with a sparking orange Celsius. I already feel a higher level of energy, creativity, and overall focus. I knock out this phase of my project in an hour — an incredible turnaround from where I was at 10:15 in a total funk. As I reflected on this, I remember days when I never got out of the funk and wasted most of the day without exercising or knocking some home runs with my work. The difference was the little push to get up and change the scenery. Taking a different approach to get out of the ditch I was in. That’s our leadership lesson this week.
Energy Builders
Contrary to what we might think, when we are in a funk, expending a little energy will almost always generate more energy! It can be as simple as getting up and going outside for a 15-minute walk. It might include a brisk walk, doing something fun that requires some energy, or a full workout like I had in front of me. I even got up and stretched for five minutes. My family has laughed for years as when I would get sleepy driving, I would pull over and do 20 pushups. If you are sleepy at work and certainly if you are driving, try the quick 20 for an energy boost.
Do you have a favorite way to get out of the funk? Please share with us in the comments or email me at [email protected]. We all have these days, and the better we understand how we can create our little push, we will always be able to deliver big results. Here are five of my favorite little pushes:
- 15-minute walk outside or play with Oliver
- 20 pushups
- Regular Workout
- 10-minute prayer and reflection time
- 10-minute stretch routine
Meanwhile, our gym is upstairs, right above my home office.
CeCe, can you stop exercising, I am trying to focus on this new blog.
No, if I don’t do it now, I will not have any energy all day…
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