Labels are shortcuts. Don’t let them stick.
Workaholic. I’ve thought about that word for a few days – since someone threw that label at me. I need time to form my answers when I am caught off guard and I felt un-prepared to respond. But now I am.
This is what I would say: I can see why you might label me as a workaholic. I’ve had a long run of nearly non-stop, high value delivery. I’ve been creating and experimenting with new offerings and delivering great outcomes with clients. It’s been a full schedule, with the new challenge of migrating to virtual delivery. They don’t know I have weeks of quiet time scheduled.
In the past, after a highly productive phase, I noticed I would experience an almost uncontrollable slump. I would beat myself up for the down time. I’d say I was “being lazy.” If only I could stay at that high pace – just imagine what I could do!
I have finally learned it’s not “downtime” – it’s just time to recharge. When people meet me at an event or training they don’t see an introvert because I’m often in front of the mic. But I am. Part of my adulting is realizing that being “on-stage” requires me to schedule restorative time. It’s not time off. I’m not being lazy. It’s not recovery from workaholism – it’s just time to recharge. I call it self-care.
And that’s a label I can live with. #AgileLife
