Years ago in Psychology 101 my team trained a rat to run on a wheel in its cage. Each time the wheel completed a full cycle, the meter count increased. The team that had the highest count after 2 minutes “won”. We focused on training the rat to run hard & fast, to chase the cheese, as it were.
Is your life mimicking the lab rat’s? Do you feel like the harder you work the further behind you get? Is the piece of cheese you get every payday worth the effort? At the end of the day, what have you really won?
“Life” is happening all around you. How much “life” have you missed because your focus was on “chasing the cheese”? How many times have you told yourself –
- “I’ll play ball with the kids later AFTER I …”
- “We’ll take that family vacation trip AFTER I …”
- “Let me check my phone for texts BEFORE I…”
- “Hang on, let me post this BEFORE I …”
The time has come to stop the wheel or to, at least, slow it down.
Why?
Because there is much more to life than work, texts and posts. Your life can be so much more than work, texts, and posts. But, it’s up to you to change it.
How?
Start small.
I suggest –
- Play with the kids, even if it’s only for a few minutes. They won’t be kids forever, but they’ll remember the times you played with them forever. Make lasting memories!
- Put the phone down. Step away from the phone. It’s an addiction you must break. Your phone is not only keeping you from “living”, it is also a source of stress & anxiety. (i.e. I hope people like this post! What? No likes!?!?!) Do yourself and your family a favor – PUT THE PHONE DOWN!
- Plan and take a short weekend trip or longer vacation. Get the entire family involved. The time away from “chasing the cheese” will strengthen your relationship with your spouse and kids, restore your mind, body and soul as well as restore some level of work/life balance.
DON’T BE A RAT
Dan’s View 