Sick and Tired!

For the last 3 days I have been sick and tired.  As I type this post, I am in the bed with juice, tissues, and tea beside me.  It all started a few weeks ago.  I was running on empty from working late hours and trying to get my kids ready to go back to school.  Needless to say by the time school started, I was exhausted which created a perfect opportunity for the back to school germs the kids brought home to attack.  And attack they did!  So here I am, sick….and tired.

I have felt this way before and I have learned the hard way that at times like this you have to STOP, DROP, and ROLL.   Yeah, I know – that is what you are supposed to do when you are on fire right?  Well, being sick and tired is very similar to being on fire- it means it is time to make a change. (OK, so I stretched that a bit, but keep reading!)  Before I go on, let me say that this works if you are sick or tired physically or situationally (think about that job you hate or that relationship you know you need to get out of…yep, I said it).

When you are sick and tired, you have to STOP doing what you are doing. If you STOP, it lets your body fight back.  Same thing if you are tired – STOP doing what it is that is causing you to be tired.  Need some examples?  How about this:  Tired of fighting with your spouse?  STOP!  Sick of being around negative people?  STOP!  Tired of that job you have!  ST–Wait, don’t stop working!  You know you need that job!  The bills aren’t going to pay themselves!  But you can STOP waiting for the situation to change on its own and start looking for your next opportunity!

Next, DROP some stuff.  Basically, take some of the stuff that you need to do and DROP it into the hands of a willing friend, child, or spouse to do for you.  It’s simple.  Only do the things that only you can do!  Let me help you out:  You don’t have to do everything!  In my case, I had to let go of housekeeping and some work projects.  Using our job example, if you are sick of your job, then do what you need to do and delegate the rest.  Also, get some help with things that will help you move to your next opportunity, like resume help or networking.  You get the idea, right?

Finally, ROLL.   Once you STOP and DROP, you have to ROLL with the fact that though things will get done, it won’t be done the way you do it!  This is major!  If I DROP cooking the family meal in my husband’s hands, I can’t criticize his fried salmon (don’t ask)!  If I DROP folding clothes into my son’s hands, I can’t expect it to be done the exact way I usually do it.  The bottom line is that it got done!

In a day or two I will be completely better.  Mostly because I stopped to take care of myself, I dropped some things in other people’s hands, and I rolled with the outcome.  And now, back to sleep I go! 🙂