How To Increase Your Productivity

“You want me to do WHAT?” asked Dr. Maryanne Ducey on our second coaching call. It was a request I often make of my clients. But for this ultra-busy and committed chiropractor and community leader it seemed out of the question. “Take a day off just for you,” I challenged her.

Maryanne has a jam-packed life. She maintains a full practice, manages a household, visits her elderly mother at a nearby nursing facility, and cares for her Kerry Blue Terrier, too. How, she wondered, could she possibly take a day away - even for a weekend - for something as seemingly frivolous as a day at the lake.

(N.B. If alarms are going off in your head— especially if they’re saying, “I could NEVER do that”, this week’s message is definitely for you.)

During our first call together Maryanne talked about wanting to feel excited about her life again. She wanted her Wheel of Life (an assessment tool which allows the client to visualize where the gaps in her life are) in balance and to put away more money for herself. How would taking a day trip in any way impact these desires?

When she returned from her assigned recreational activity she was bubbling over with enthusiasm. On our subsequent call she was exploding with her newfound wisdom. “When I get time for myself,” she proclaimed, “the energy from that yields three times my normal productivity.”

I have seen this result many times before. There’s an inexplicable element here that gets lost in translation. I suspect there is some hormonal justification or quantum physics description, but Maryanne’s testimonial said it better than all of that.

As our coaching relationship has continued Maryanne, like my other clients, has achieved her desires:

• Feeling excited about her life
• Balancing out the gaps in her Wheel of Life
• Making more deposits into her account—both financial and spiritual

Clients also notice that their life purposes become fulfilled as well. Taking care of ourselves first enables us to perform the greater work of changing people’s lives through our work.

In Maryanne’s case, by modeling what optimum health looks like she uses all of herself. Her chiropractic expertise plus her vibrant, healthy presence transform those who come to her for healthier lives.

My “prescription” to all busy entrepreneurs: Take time for yourself on a regular basis -- and call me in the morning!