racheldorman.co.uk

This year, I resolve to give my health and happiness absolute priority over my work.

I will continue (as started late in 2007) to go for regular check-ups at dentist and optician, and to the doctor when I feel unwell. I will set a morning routine for myself: get up at the same time each day, allow time to enjoy a relaxing bath or shower, time to floss my teeth as well as brush them (dentist’s orders), most importantly I will make time for breakfast (doctor’s orders), and then I will leave for work in good time so I don’t spend my half-hour commute to Brighton in a panic over the consequences of being late in. I will never skip breakfast (at worst I’ll keep cereal bars, fruit, etc. in the house to take with me if I’m running late).

I will use my full lunch-time allowance each day, and try spend at least half of it away from work, stretching my legs and getting fresh air in my lungs, and clearing my mind of stressful thoughts. I will not spend my break complaining to Iestyn about problems at work! I will break for lunch as soon as I have an opportunity (aiming for between 12.00-1.00), rather than have a very late lunch or no break at all.

At work I’ll schedule time for ‘housekeeping’ (tidying the clutter from my desk, backing up my work, etc.) as this will make me more efficient and clear-headed and will improve on my productivity in the long run. I must remind myself that putting client work before these tasks is counter-productive. I’ll ensure I’m comfortable in my working environment, and if I pick up on RSI risks or anything else that concerns me I will deal with these problems as I go, as it will improve my happiness (for myself) and increase my productivity (for the company and its clients), so everybody benefits.

I’ll continue to write a fresh ‘To Do’ list at the end of each work day, but this year I will put the list out of my mind until I get back to the studio the next day. I will make an effort to enjoy my weekday evenings, rather than mulling over problems or watching mindless TV. I will try to do things that make me feel my time was well spent; I already know from experince that expending a little energy on activities I enjoy leaves me feeling far more refreshed than doing nothing at all.

Phew. So there it is.

My resolution definitely isn’t set in stone, and it’s not an ‘all or nothing’ deal. There will be days where I need to bend the rules a little, and projects where I’m working overtime for the pleasure of it as much as for the client’s benefit. I’d like my work to be a source of satisfaction again, and not be a burden like it has been lately. Ultimately, I want to restore the balance in my life. I’m not quite sure when I lost it, but late last year I finally acknowledged that I wasn’t happy and realised what I needed to change. I’m surprised at how small and manageable these changes are, as I expected I’d have to do something far more significant.

Happy new year, everyone!