We now live in the age of instant everything. It is debatable as to whether this has allowed us more leisure time or less.
The corporate world loves to use the term “work / life balance”. Take a trip to any sunny beach in Southeast Asia and you will see countless executives in a beach bar on their laptops. Have we been tricked? Does “work / life balance” really mean “we can reach out to you and have you do work anywhere in the world”?
Thanks to modern technology, we now find ourselves juggling family, work obligations, and trying to remain fit / consistent in workouts. The email lights up on the phone at dinner with the family. Your messenger pops up mid-workout…
It does not have to be this way! However, the onus is on us to make the changes in our daily lives that lead us back to having quality work time, family time, and training time… and keep it that work time interfere as little as possible with the other two.
The solutions:
1. Communication is everything.
Being clear on your intentions daily, weekly, and monthly make life infinitely easier with your boss and family members. Don’t surprise your husband / wife with a workout on a Saturday morning when they may have planned for a family outing.
2. A set schedule is ALMOST everything
Have a set schedule but if you have to work out at 8 instead of 6, suck it up. There are 24 hours in a day. You can find an hour to put in the work.
3. An active family makes everything easier
If family time consists of hikes, sports, and being outdoors in general, then exercise becomes infinitely easier than if family time consists of TV and video games.
4. Always have a plan for a home workout
A home gym does not need to be complicated. Barbells are great if you have the space, but if I have to work out at home…
The basic home gym:
- 16kg kettlebells x 2 and 32kg kettlebell x 1
- 25lb dumbbells x 2 and 50lb dumbbells x2
- Speed Rope
- Pull up bar (I am fine with the cheap door mount ones…strict pull ups provide plenty of work at home, save the kipping for the box)
5. Work smarter!
Let’s face it, the days of 2 hour pump sessions may be over. Time is money and you need to get the most bang for your buck. The standard Crossfit recipe of warm up / strength and skill / and WOD all within about an hour is usually going to get you the best return on your time investment.
6. SET ELECTRONIC BOUNDARIES!!!
Unless you work in a career field that includes you being on-call to save lives (Fireman, Police, Doctor, etc) ask yourself… “If I miss a call from the office in the next hour, will the world stop turning?” No one on their death bed ever said…”Man, I sure am glad I stopped pushing my daughter on the swing to take that call from the office.”
So that is all I have for you this week. Get to your local box, turn your phone off, and CRUSH IT!
Have a great week everyone, and as always if you like what you are reading please share. If you don’t like it, share it and say why!
TJ
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skill challenge barbell lift © WODSHOTS
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