#45 - I'm Off
Not the best time, vincible, and goodbye
Next week marks my first week off since 2019. Ironic considering the business I’m in.
It’s long overdue.
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Not the Best Time
I’ve been so busy telling people to take time off during the last 18 months. Yet I’ve forgotten to practice what I preach.
It’s not the best time for a week off. I’ve just started fundraising. Weeks one and two coincided with the August Bank holiday, and week three with my own holiday. Whoops.
But I’m not so sure it’s problem. Firstly, there’s never a good time. That’s why I’ve spent the last 18 months with nothing more than a long weekend off. There’s always been something to do.
Secondly, it’s all about how effective one is. If I’m being honest, I wasn’t particularly effective in August. I overloaded myself- a house move, a new relationship, endless fire fighting, and a too-full social calendar. Death by a thousand cuts. It was too much. The good news is we’re still on track. There’s such a great tailwind behind the business now that despite my best efforts everything is going strong. I got lucky. No damage done, and I’ve learnt my lesson.
Vincible
Less, better. I write it again and again in this newsletter but then get it wrong in the real world. Going into this summer I’d developed a bit of an invincibility complex. I’ve made such drastic improvements to my life and mental state in the last couple of years that I’d thought myself immune to overload. Not the case.
I’ll switch off next week. Time to recharge. We have an exciting few months ahead and I intend to be on good form for it. Regarding the fundraise- not to worry, I have a plan. Updates to follow.
Goodbye
I’ve written and scheduled next week’s article so I’m afraid you won’t have a week off from me. I’d love to tell you it’s an unmissable piece. But on rereading it’s very missable. I won’t have an update books section for one (who knows what I’ll read between now and then). If that’s the only reason you browse this then I won’t be offended if you take a week off.
I shall miss you. But probably not too much. I’m back, a changed man, on 13th September. Until then….
My Week in Books📚
A User's Manual for the Human Body by Alex Wu
A primer on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Very interesting. I’m sold. Do let me know if anyone has a good TCM practitioner in London.
Time Off by John Fitch and Max Frenzel
A wonderfully researched book. I thought I’d get some last minute revision in before my time off next week. Did not regret it. I thoroughly enjoyed this. Beautifully put together and the subject matter is bang on.
I’ll be updating the books I’ve read this year here. Any recommendations? Let me know!
A Final Thought 💡
"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you."
- Anne Lamott