CHAPTER 20LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF
With so much going on in the world, and with the rapid pace of change that characterizes the fourth industrial revolution, it can all seem a bit overwhelming. I'm not immune to this. I love what I do and yet I still have times where I feel weighed down by the length of my to-do list, stunned by the pace of change, or just plain worn out. You probably have similar moments. Maybe those “moments” are becoming more common or prolonged amidst the crazy pace of life today. This is precisely why you need to look after yourself, take care of your physical and mental health, and find more balance in life.
Let me state up front that this is an area I'm constantly working on. I can't pretend I've achieved the perfect work–life balance. (Because I love my job, I sometimes struggle to step away and leave work behind.) I can't pretend that I never feel stress or worry. Nor can I pretend that I'm always in tip-top physical and mental shape. Looking after myself is a journey, just as it is for most people. And that journey isn't effortless. Prioritizing self-care, making time to look after myself, being strict about my work boundaries, spending more time with my wife and children, and all those good things requires a conscious effort on my part. So rest assured that I'm not going to preach things I don't do myself. But I will share the tools and techniques that I find helpful.
Of course, not everything in this chapter will resonate with you, so I encourage ...
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