Do you ever wonder if a sloth is truly happy? I do. And I always assume, no. How can you be happy when you don’t “DO” anything? I always think of the sloth that works at the DMV in the movie Zootopia…it PAINS me to watch those scenes and listen to the INSANELY slow pace that he speaks. It’s unbearable – I’m totally Judy Rabbit in that scene. 

Whether working, driving, cleaning (hahaha JK I don’t make time to clean!), or relationships, I can’t take things slow.  My now husband and I lived together for basically two months and literally within 6.  I can’t take things slow. Why take 2 hours to do something that can be done in 20 min??   

It’s definitely what brought me success as an employee…I was able to do so much more than my colleagues in less time.  It was a blessing and a curse cause the more you do, the more they give you and soon you’re burned out and taken advantage of.  But I couldn’t (and still can’t) find the off switch!

I used to wonder why my Dad could never sit still when they’d come to visit us. I would literally need to pre-plan projects for him to do when they would visit so that he wouldn’t go stir-crazy.  Dad – I get it now.  Like me, my Dad is a total workaholic.  Apparently, that’s one of the gifts he’s bestowed on me ;).  Now unlike him, I’m REALLY good at shutting off when I’m on vacation; I have no problem lazing poolside, but get me near a computer or in range of a self-help book and a notepad and I’m sucked back in. 

I guess it’s nice that I love what I do and the people I work with so much, but UGH…ENOUGH! 

So.  Since there’s no “off switch” to my work mode, I’ve had to adapt to find ways to chill out that embrace my work-a-holism, instead of fighting it, and throw a few Jedi-mind-tricks in there to try to at least “dim the lights” a bit: 

1. Movie Time

   Ever since university I developed a thing where I’d pop in (literally - they were all on VHS) old movies that I’ve seen 100x and have them playing in the background while I studied, wrote papers, or worked on projects. It was great cause I felt like I was “relaxing” with a great old movie but still getting work done.  Now I have the wonders of Netflix, Prime, Disney+, Crave and Apple TV – the “oldies but goodies” are ENDLESS…and so are my movie shifts. 

   • JEDI MIND TRICK: I put on a REALLY good movie I haven’t seen in a while or better yet a NEW movie and instead of it being background noise, I get sucked into the story and eventually just close my computer and accept the power of a great plotline. 

2. Relax with a good book

   I kind of spoiled this one above, cause honestly, of the 20+ books I’ve read in the past years, I’d say 2 of them were non-fiction.  The other 90% were full-on self-help, business development, and personal development.  I think I’m “relaxing” by curling up with a good book, but in reality, I use reading time as “professional development” time 

   • JEDI MIND TRICK: honestly there is none…I really do love reading non-fiction ;P 

3. Get outside and go for a walk

   I really do love to do this (unless it’s winter/cold).  I rarely make the time to leave the house and move my body but when I do, I SO enjoy it.  The sunshine, fresh air, and the chance encounter with my awesome neighbors are total therapy.   Sounds great right? How can I possibly work in the great outdoors?! Oh you know I’ve found a way! My outdoor walks are when I get to listen to podcasts  - and as you’ve likely guessed, I’m not binging true crime or getting insights into the people and places around us.  No, my podcast hit lists are all business.  My go-to is Amy Porterfield – I love pretty much everything she creates and is much of the inspiration for my content and connection goals. It’s because of her that I’m invading your inbox and webspace each week…you can thank (blame) her ;) 

   • JEDI MIND TRICK: ok well this actually really drives me nuts, but I totally sabotage my podcast professional development walks by forgetting to charge my wireless headphones.  Nothing makes me more irate than getting out the door and down the street only to hear that annoying robo-lady say “low power” repeatedly until it just shuts off.  Fine universe.  I’ll appreciate the sounds of nature. UGH. 

4. Relax in a hot tub

   You’d think there’s no way I can take a computer into the tub, and yes, you’re right.  And I don’t trust myself enough to have my phone or e-reader near water either. So how can I POSSIBLY work in a tub of hot water?  Well, tub time is my Thinking Time…it’s not quite meditation, but something like that.  And it’s all about getting inside my head.  Normally I like to avoid that, but something about heat and jets makes all the negative self-talk go away and I’m taken to a place of growth and possibilities. 

   • JEDI MIND TRICK: this one is my husband’s doing…of all the frivolous spending that he tries to encourage me to do, he’s roadblocked my continuous attempts to get a hot tub for our backyard. DAMN YOU TUCKER!!! One day I will defeat you! 

There you go.  Now you know my slightly sadistic addiction to work and my sorry-ass attempt to pretend that I’m calm and balanced.  Feel reassured that if you share my work-isms there are ways to get that false sense of balance.   

Everything’s fine.