I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag.
Today’s tip is to focus on being kind rather than right.
I’ve had this tip a few times, and I usually think about interactions with other people. Today, I’m thinking about myself.
I set some goals for myself at various points, and I want to revisit some of those things today, with the idea of being kind to myself rather than a straightforward SMART goals evaluation.
I set a January goal of working out every day. Before I even started, I had to delay slightly with an injury. Here was my January progress:
I track my workouts on MapMyRun.com, and as you can see, I missed 3 days after starting back working out on Jan 4. If I check February, I managed to work out the first, but missed the second and third.
I didn’t get to the goal, but I understand why. Jan 9 and 23 I coached all day down in the Springs, leaving the house by 6am and not returning home until 6 or 7 at night. A long day, standing all day, and I gave myself permission to not push. The 24th I actually felt sick, a bit of a cold, and I mostly rested in bed that day.
It was a goal, not a requirement, so I can live with that.
I’ve also been dieting and trying to clean up my life this year after some slightly high health numbers. I set a goal of not drinking for a month, and I did a good job there. I had a beer on Jan 1, returning from Las Vegas. I didn’t have another until Feb 1, when I was celebrating with my wife. I had a couple while on holiday that week, but since then I’ve been avoiding alcohol again. Same with my diet. I’ve been fairly strict for a little over a month, but I am accepting a few meals here and there where I deviate a bit from the plan.
In both cases, it’s OK. I’m being kind, rather than berating myself for small breaks.
I’ve had a few days off as well, skipping some chores or taking it easy on the weekends, something I rarely do, but I’m being kind and accepting of life as it comes and I make decisions.