The Grind

What do you think of when you hear the phrase "the grind?" Is it how you feel about your job? Is it the burden of life in general? Is it a faux commitment to fitness? 

I'm guessing you didn't feel good about it.

The Grind Can Fuel
If I were to answer those questions honestly, I would admit that sometimes I fall into the negativity trap associated with the grind. I hate that.

What happens most of the time however, is that the grind becomes fuel for me. It moves from another lame excuse about "how busy I am" and "that life is so hectic" and moves me to look at things differently.

Without the pressure of "the grind" I wouldn't take risks.

Without the need to deliver I wouldn't try new things.

Without the constantly changing business world, I would just be another boring leader who thinks talking about work versus actually having to deliver as an executive is "the grind."

The Grind Can Drain
There is a dark side to the grind...one that can overwhelm, exhaust, and wear us out. The biggest risk of this grind is that we believe it is permanent.

Let me say that again...the biggest risk is that we believe the negative grind is permanent.

It's not. Ever.

Work can be frustrating, so what?
Life can be frustrating, so what?

How About You
Important things are supposed to be difficult some of the time. 

That stress can be turned into energy to do things you never thought possible. That pressure can be focused on new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new ways to take you, and your organization to a new level of performance.

How are you going to embrace the grind today and make a difference in your world?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Your Absolute Best - #HealthcareHR

One the things I find fascinating about working in the healthcare industry is the significant disconnect between the high quality of care provided to patients, while simultaneously seeing the staff take very poor care of their own health. Little or no exercise, bad nutritional choices (you can't hide your "comfort food decisions") combined with a stressful workplace are...ahem... a recipe for disaster.

This isn't another post about the importance of eating well and exercising because they are both good for you. In fact, I need your help to understand a strange phenomenon:

"Why do we commit ourselves so completely to our work and then bail out on our best opportunity to have the energy to actually be our best on the job?"

Fuel
The word diet has such a negative connotation I stopped using it 15 years ago. Simply stated, healthy food give you energy, makes you strong, and allows your brain to actually function. The key is to avoid making drastic changes all at once.

"Start slow, adjust, and by all means stop rewarding yourself with food - you are not a dog"

Train
Exercising is one of the hardest transitions for most people. Why? Expectations of course, plus far too many people are horribly out of shape. Limit your expectations so you don't feel like a failure before you even get started. Your body needs time to adjust...give it time! This process is not a competition, so don't put pressure on yourself to suddenly get to some fictitious end point. There isn't one. Just as our work continues, so does our need to move a little each day.

One of the most effective ways to maintain your training routine is to connect with others. It is much easier if you have a friend or coworker who is also exercising. Keep in mind they do not need to be close...you just need to connect with them!

Mental Health
Regardless of which role you play in the healthcare space you will undoubtedly feel stress in your work. Beyond the "normal" challenges of shrinking reimbursements, sourcing the right talent and managing a very diverse workforce comes something that separates us from just about everyone else.

In an industry where some of our customers are so sick or injured that they pass away, we can not afford to live by the tired old excuses of having no time or energy to take care of ourselves because we're too busy taking care of others. Not only is that lame, it has never been true.

How About You
No it's not easy, and no you're not going to enjoy it everyday. So what? If you put half the effort into yourself that you do for your company you'll be amazed at what you'll accomplish on the job. Don't your colleagues, your patients, and your team members deserve your absolute best?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.



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