But as I look back on these last two weeks, when I fell off the working out / blogging train a bit, I realize there were a few things I did well and I few things I could have done differently.
PR is a fast-paced industry, so it's inevitable that there will be weeks of time where my job kind of consumes my life. (Also see: advertising, accounting and pretty much any high-pressure career out there.) What I'm learning is that there are steps I can take to help sustain my own sanity and my happiness, despite my crazy work life.
Here are my best tips for prepping for a crazy work week:
1.) Eat healthy. The likelihood of making it to the gym after a 12-hour work day is slim. So if you stay on track with your diet (or even be a bit more of a health nut than usual), you can still feel like you're on track rather than feeling depressed because you've fallen off the wagon.
My goal for next time: Ruling out carbs from my diet when I know things are going to heat up at work. That way, I'll have a sense of accomplishment in terms of my healthy living regimen although I'm not able to make it to the gym.
2.) Give yourself a reward. If the end is in sight (and even if it's not), give yourself a light at the end of the tunnel by coordinating something to look forward to. Whether spoiling yourself with a manicure, new shoes or (if you're a male), perhaps a sporting event or night out with friends, knowing that something good is coming soon will help the busy days go faster.
How I did it: Lucky for me, I was able to take off work last Friday (scheduled way in advance, but just so happened to work out perfectly!) That way, I had a day to myself to relax, see the Hunger Games (of course!) and do what I needed to regroup after a busy couple of weeks.
3.) Be selfish. Yes, I said it! You need your sleep, and you need your sanity during these busy times. So when friends ask you to meet for dinner, your mom guilts you out about hanging or your significant other wants to chat for 30 minutes before hitting the hay every night, it's okay to say NO. Your sanity is #1 right now, and they'll eventually understand.
What I could do better: My issue is that I can often be a people-pleaser. Being in the company of others genuinely makes me happy, so it's often easy to forget what a little "me time" can do for my peace of mind when I'm especially busy at work. Next time, I'll give everyone around me a heads up so the expectations are set on both sides.
What are your tips for coping with a busy work life? What do you think you could also do better?
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