22 years later, I still think about it
Super Bowl XXXVII was 22 years ago, but I still think about it every year when the Big Game rolls around. I don't think about it for the reasons that you might assume. I wasn't there. I don't know where it was, who played, who won, or who performed at the halftime show.* I think about it because of a decision I made.
I was in my first year of law school and the second semester had started a few weeks earlier. Suffice it to say, I took law school quite seriously: I treated it like a job, taking early classes and spending the rest of the weekdays at the library until dinner time. I did all my reading and never missed an assignment. I prepared my outlines on a weekly basis so I'd be ready for exams. I did all the things you were "supposed" to do for success. Except one.
I didn't like to take breaks.
I lived alone in a one-bedroom apartment and on the weekends I would occasionally meet up with friends. Otherwise, I typically slept in, did laundry, got groceries, and worked. That Sunday, I remember I was at my desk wearing pajamas and pouring over a case book when one of my friends/classmates called around lunchtime. She started telling me about an impromptu Super Bowl party one of our classmates was having and she was helping to spread the word. (This was way before text chains and WhatsApp.) She asked me if I wanted to go.
I said no.
No hesitation, no pause. In a split second, a litany of thoughts ran through my mind: I didn't particularly care about the game; I had a pile of work; I wanted to finish my outlines; I wanted to get ahead for the week; and if I went to the party, I would lose hours of work time. Plus, I had to be in class early the next day and didn't want to be out late. I told her I was going to have a quiet night at home and politely declined.
Why do I still think about this? Because I still have this tendency. Slowing down does not come easily to me. I tend to put fun on the backburner. I do a lot of extra things so that it's hard to find the down time in the first instance. I have to constantly remind myself that breaks are a must. So I share this today because I know I'm not alone. Whether it's overwork or juggling a thousand responsibilities, we often say no to a break (or self-care) and instead moonlight as the Energizer Bunny. So this year, I'm reminding myself:
Rest is a key to success.
Pause before saying no.
Create a plan to manage the overwhelm that causes overwork.
The last one has come with the benefit of the intervening decades. Part of the overwork may be due to more responsibility (and taking on a lot of extras), but I've learned for me, part of it is time mismanagement. I'm focusing on breaking down big tasks into actionable steps, planning when I'll accomplish them, and realizing that I can engineer free time as well.
So I'm curious to hear: if you're like me, what has worked for you?
*Thanks to the internet, I just learned: on January 26, 2003, the Buccs beat the Raiders in San Diego at Super Bowl XXXVII. Fun fact: this was the last time the Super Bowl was ever played in January. And, if you're anywhere around my age and want to feel old, consider that the halftime show performers were Shania Twain, No Doubt, and Sting. (!!!)
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