One of the most important lessons that I learned in 2011 is to take vacation during the Christmas-New Years holiday. Practically everyone is out of the office and nobody really answers emails. I didn't take the time off and I realize after this week, I am totally burned out. I could feel it coming on the Friday before the New Year's holiday and ended up with an awful head cold.
Add to that the stress of having to put together a not so stellar review for one of the guys I manage and then having to give that review and you've got the recipe for a trying week. I've gotten used to giving feedback that isn't always received well and the past two years I've made the decision to let someone go. First in 2010 and then again in 2011 and then this year I had to put someone - someone who is/was a friend - on probation. It's been tough for me at work and I am finding that it is difficult to have friends at work.
All of this has been a long time coming and I realize that I really DO need to take better care of myself. I don't eat right and I don't get enough sleep. Lately, I've started taking a very small dose (3 mg) of melatonin. It's helped me get some sleep and it doesn't make me feel groggy when I get up in the morning. As a result, the dark circles that have been forming under my eyes are gone and I'm way more patient. I've also started back up with the yoga classes and have gone to few meditation classes. I really do need to find peace somewhere in my life.


