What is YOUR Power Supply?
by Penney Rudicil, ECC

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So many of us are overloaded with work and/or personal responsibilities in our lives that we don't stop to realize that we too need to stop and be recharged. A couple of months ago, I was preparing a presentation for a group of travel agents and the topic was time management. I sat down to write the content and, in doing so, I began writing out some of the different "hats" that I wear. I could not believe the list that was in front of me in just a few short minutes:

• Travel Consultant
• Agency/Host Agency Owner
• OSSN - Eastern Regional Manager/ Tennessee Director
• CLIA - Travel Agent Advisory Board
• Trainer
• Wife/Mother/Daughter
• Friend
• Community Volunteer
• Sugar Glider Lady
• Class Room Mom

Wow -- no wonder I feel overwhelmed much of the time!

Take a minute, get a pen, and jot down the things in your life that you are responsible for, the people to whom you are responsible, the things that you do without even a thought. It will amaze you, or possibly even frighten you.

As I sat and listened to that speaker talk further, I realized what his true message was. It wasn't that I had poor time management skills, or that I had too many responsibilities. It wasn't that my friends and family were sucking the life from me or that I needed to get more rest. It was that I needed to find out what actually charges me! What made me feel good? If that was my work, great. If that was my family, awesome! If it was singing in the church choir (even though I am tone deaf), then I should do it. Because that is what makes me feel good and recharges MY battery.

Another area he discussed was not only WHAT charges us, but WHO. As he was speaking about people in his life that drained him, as well as people that gave him energy, I began to think about the people in my life. Wow, I thought of many people that I love and enjoy being around but who are very high strung and can drain my energy very quickly, and then there are others that give me strength, give me energy.

During the weeks since this cruise, I have begun to pay better attention to the people, places, and things in my life that either recharge or drain me. I made a list of the tasks that I don't particularly enjoy but need to be done, then I made a list of the things I really enjoy but never seem to make time to do. As an example, at the end of the month when I do the bookkeeping and close out the sales/commissions and get everything balanced, I reward myself and go out to lunch with a friend. I feel so much better just getting out of the office and relaxing for a short time, that when I go back I am ready to tackle the next project.

So often I hear from travel agents, "I don't have time to ___" (go out for lunch, on vacation, to take a fam, etc.). Many of us are independent contractors, home-based agents, and business owners -- we can have the flexibility to do these things. It is so important that you take care of yourself. If you don't, who will?

It's time for you, too, to find what brings you energy - and get RECHARGED!