Wednesday Wins

By: Michael Beiter

How about a double win for your Wednesday?

One of my clients had a birthday this week. I sent him a message in our app, and he replied nicely.

It's about noon as I write this; another guy just left. He's going home to answer emails, eat, and walk with his wife and son. They'll probably nap this afternoon before they head to Ames to watch the Cyclones try to cap an undefeated home basketball season at Hilton.

They're playing BYU, who just jumped into the top 25 teams. It's a big game that will be an excellent experience for my guy and his family.

"This is our sixth game this year. Last year, we only made it to three." He said.

"A 100% increase in home basketball games attended year over year is pretty good. You've found much more time for a hobby of yours. What do you attribute that to?" I asked.

"This coaching!" he answered. "Once I learned the limits I needed for exercise and food, I started setting similar limits for my work time. Last year, we didn't get to games, mainly because I had to work."

I wanted to share the practice he uses called blackouts for balance.

He'll go into his calendar for a Clone home game or a random afternoon and blackout all of his calendar. In the booking, he writes "balance."

"It reminds me why I'm blocking my time: I've fallen out of work-life balance before, and I'm not willing to do it again. My clients get upset for a little bit, but I don't care. No money is more valuable than taking my son and wife to a potential undefeated home closer in Ames."

I love all-time fitness PRs and blackouts for balance.