Sometimes less is more!
In a previous post, I discussed how after being diagnosed with multiple autoimmune diseases, I had to retire from my passion, K9 Search and Rescue. Since then, I have also been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, a rare neuromuscular disease.
I recently read a post on a Myasthenia Gravis (mg) site, in which the author described her feelings at not being able to do as much as she used to. She was on the medication mestinon, as I am, and that helped her a great deal with her muscle weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath. She still couldn't maintain her usual active life style, and felt really inadequate because of it. Her self perception became that she was lazy, unable to get things done, not as worthwhile as a person as she used to be.
This resonated with me! Even though I know I can't do as much as I used to because of my autoimmune diseases, I actually felt I was just slacking off. My mind understands reality, but my emotions and self-perception don't!
She contacted her doctor, and asked for more or additional medication. Her doctor said that at this point, he would only prescribe a daily nap! MG exhausts your muscles, and with rest (if you haven't over stressed them) they recover.
I described to my own neurologist how I had tried to push myself hiking one day, by going further than I had in a while. I got really tired, but the shocker was it honestly took me three days to recover! He laughed, and said he wasn't surprised, it just doesn't work that way (that you can push yourself)!
I have incorporated a mid-day nap or at least lie-down. It was hard at first not to feel I was slacking off--shirking my work, chores, etc. But it really does help.
So even though we are motivated to be productive, work on our affiliate business to build it up, as well as cope with all the other things we need to deal with (kids, family, other job, commitments, etc), we need to be realistic in what we are really capable of. I have been beating myself up mentally for the past couple years--accusing myself of being lazy, procrastinating (which I am often guilty of!!!), not up to the challenges of my internet business.
Okay! I need to be realistic! I have some medical issues that now limit me. I can't tell you how hard that has been to accept! But I can figure out workarounds, and become the most productive I am capable of, realistically. That will not only get more done, but make me feel much better about myself again.
For all of us, we need to learn when we can push ourselves, and when that becomes counterproductive!
Yes, sometimes less is more!
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Take great satisfaction in knowing you are doing all you can, which is definitely enough!
There's always something more to do with a website, but we would all go crazy if we tried to do everything all the time. Even without health issues that would be impossible to do.
More importantly, there are a lot of people with a great deal more time resources than you who get nothing accomplished. You know your challenges and plan accordingly to get the most done with what you have. You can be just as successful with a small amount of time as you could with unlimited time because you know how to use that time for the best results.
I look forward to great things from you.
What an encouraging reply! Going forward I'm going to work on making good use of my energy, without focusing on what I'm not getting done. Thinking positive.
Thank you! Keith