by Dana Cavalea October 23, 2017

 

Living in the hustle and bustle NYC suburb of Westchester County, every morning I write this blog I watch herds of adults run frantically to the train with a backpack on, coffee in one hand and paper under their other arm.. 

Sometimes scarfing down some quick simple carbs as they pursue an on-time train in an often times "running-late" world..

This is scary to watch...especially from my perspective where the overall pain in their faces and screaming of their belt is quite noticeable..

At what point do we trade in the life/ mentality of the pursuit of excellence at the expense of everything else?

I have the answer.. 

Only after the bomb goes off... 

Ulcers, heart attacks, panic attacks, night sweats, divorce, or chronic fatigue... 

That is when we take the inventory.. 

As high performers, the "chase for more" is the actual addiction.. leading to a life that is totally tilted and off-balance... and a very predictable cycle of destruction... 

Work more, make more, buy more, have to work more, have to buy more.. blah blah blah... 

Scary stuff. Hard to break the obsession.. but you must start "reframing" how you see things of you will always be "chasing" and you may eventually find yourself on the wrong side of the tracks.. 

In sports, when we see athletes that are totally toast, their performance always slips, injury risk rises, and they are usually given a few days off.. a much healthier cycle.. 

How can you add RECOVERY to your life?

How can you break your cycle? 

I believe this first step is the same as breaking any addiction.. YOU MUST GET REALLY REAL WITH YOURSELF.. 

Realize you are a hard charging locomotive heading full steam over an open ended bridge... 

Then take small steps daily.. like:

1. Leave at a set time from work each day.. (boundaries)

2. Take your last meeting/ call "at this time"... then close your schedule...

3. Take a full hour lunch, off-campus, without your phone...

4. Workout before your day.. even if that means getting up a bit earlier and arriving a few minutes later each day (to be made up on back end)

5. Build your day in 90 minute blocks.. with a "breather" in between to reset and "relax"

Simple strategies like these, practiced over time can really change your game and add more performance to your work day and life.. 

Break the obsession and the fear factor of "not getting enough done" with the time you have.. .

I have always believed in putting myself first.. Workout, Read, Stretch, and Eat all before taking on the day.. Enrich yourself and your life so you can help others and give more to your work... Huge Win. #theycallmecoach #buildingchampions

COACH D

 

Dana Cavalea
Dana Cavalea

Dana Cavalea is the World Champion Director of Strength and Conditioning & Performance of the New York Yankees. Currently, he is a High Performance Speaker & Consultant to Pro Athletes, Entrepreneurs, Business Executives, and Workforces on lifestyle strategies to reduce stress, improve work/life integration, and most importantly improve daily performance /outcomes. Book Dana to Speak at your Company Event or Conference Today!


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