Today, I’m speaking to those of you who are too compassionate for your own good. You know who you are. You’re the one who runs around picking up kids, making lunches, running household errands and taking care of your elder parents sometimes on top of an 8-hour workday. You’re A caregiver. Sound familiar?
Your good intentions may not go unnoticed, but typically go unrewarded. Would it surprise you to know that more often than not, caregivers pass away before those to whom they are giving care? It sure surprised me.
Let me tell you a quick story from my own life that I don’t typically discuss. A few years back I was running around just like you, trying to handle my business as well as everybody else’s. My life was hectic and more than a little stressful, but I thought I was handling it just fine. In fact I carried it like a badge of honor, until…. wham! I was slammed with the diagnosis that I had MS. I was shocked and terrified.
My doctor told me I needed to slow down, take a breath and care for myself. I told him I had way too many responsibilities and too many people who were counting on me, to slow down. I was a caregiver. He replied politely, “How many of those people will you be able to help, if you’re no longer around?” Well, he stopped me in my tracks.
He was right, of course. I had to get a handle on this thing or I wasn’t going to be any good for anybody. So I began the long and cumbersome task of training myself to think of my own well being first. Not very easy for me, I’m a giver.
Anyway, I don’t want to bore you with the details, that’s not the point. The real takeaway is that looking back, I can name all the people I was able to help from ailing family members to clients who were victims of elder abuse. I can be proud and grateful for all the good I’ve been able to do, none of which would be possible if I didn’t take the time to keep myself healthy.
So what am I suggesting here? Go to the beach, read a book, take a yoga class, learn Tai Chi, or get a massage. Spend just one hour of your waking day on your own wellbeing… and get some rest! Trust me, you’ll be a much more effective caregiver for your clients and the ones you love.
If you’re a Real Estate Professional and want to get educated on serving the Above 50 market, join me for my upcoming SRES(Senior Real Estate Specialist) course. Click on the link, to here from others who have received the SRES designation and to register. http://bit.ly/2r7O0kL