David Trotter – Author, Speaker, Consultant

On Monday and Tuesday, I worked two 12 hour days, and it reminded me that I used to work 12 hours (almost) every day.

I loved it.
I thrived on it.
I was addicted to it.

Laura would often call me and ask, “When are you coming home?”
My response, “I’m just not sure.”

For the past two days, I’ve been working with the 8TRACKstudios team to finish two PowerPoint (dreaded) presentations (that would look amazing on Keynote). I love working with this client, and I don’t mind projects with an extremely quick turnaround. I can turn it on, and I can lead the charge to knock it out.

But, it takes a toll.

Yesterday evening when we wrapped up around 8pm (after finishing one of the presentations and extending the deadline on the second one out two weeks), I could feel the buzz…not a good buzz…but a buzz that lacks peace. As I warmed up some dinner and puttered around the kitchen, I looked at Laura as if she was a distant stranger who had just walked in the room. With only two 12 hour days in a row, I could feel myself turning inward to deal with the stress and anxiety of the project. I didn’t want to connect her or anyone else. I just wanted to finish the project and satisfy the client.

I used to feel that way all the time.

Embrace the vision.
See the goal.
Power up.
Head down.
Push through.
Avoid anything that gets in the way.
Feel the buzz.

Mid-way through the project, I’d binge on food to soothe my anxiety. That’s what I was dying to do last night. Laura needed dental floss and bananas, so I drove to the store. As I walked through the bakery area, I about ripped open a plastic container and devoured a 12 pack of donuts. I resisted.

Instead, I came home and ate celery and organic peanut butter.

Today…I worked…and took it easy…and re-calibrated my heart. I never used to do that, and it took its toll. I’m fortunate enough to be able to structure my life with a great deal of flexibility, and I’m intentionally harnessing it to work hard AND enjoy life.

I used to work 12 hours every day (because I thrived on the high and accompanying accolades)…now I can work 12 hours (or more) just when I need to.

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