I am an exhausted wreck. What should I do?

Dear Aunty B,

I am an exhausted wreck. I have fought so hard for my business this year and I feel like I don’t have anything more to give.

Yet we are going into our busiest time of year, and on top of that I have Christmas and parties where I have to give speeches and pep everyone up when I just want to take off my stilettos, pour myself a gin and tonic, crawl on top of the bed and nana nap.

How do I keep myself motivated and “up” when all I can think about is down and out?

Buggered and over it,
Perth

Dear Buggered and over it,

Don’t ask me. I am as buggered as you and might well join you on the bed… no ice, thanks.

Look, the first thing to do is plan a holiday. If you feel you can’t have a holiday, think again. If you burn out you won’t have a business. And besides, on day three of your holiday, you will be rested enough to start thinking, planning and strategising for the new year and by day four you will be bored and on the computer. So plan that holiday!!

Here is what you are going to do every morning until your holiday. You are going to drag yourself out of bed, look in the mirror and say: “Today we are going to have a win.”

And you are going to do this because you must keep your staff motivated and staff can sense when you are worried, distracted and unmotivated.

Second, you are going to stop and helicopter up to the big blue sky and hover up there for a good look around. Remind yourself of the early days, the journey you have taken, why you did it in the first place and the smart things you have done. Look down with that confidence and see the path to Christmas.

Third, you are going to change your routine. Get in later or earlier. Leave at different times. Schedule in some nice time with friends. Have lunch with some admirers and let their faith and belief in you fill you for a change.

Lastly, up your exercise. Take a walk in the middle of the day. Go to the gym, play tennis – do whatever it takes to exhaust you so you sleep well at night and wake up refreshed.

Be smart,
Your Aunty B

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