Hey there!

I don’t know if you’re like me, but I have quite a lot of Do Not Disturb sessions detailed on my phone that come on at regular intervals. Anyone who knows me well knows that my Do Not Disturb feature is fixed. It's set up to activate at specific times throughout the day automatically, so I don’t have to do it manually.

For the first time in 10 years, I took a break – a six-week break away from the team. But it wasn’t really a break because I was still working on other things and had a flare-up. I've realized that just taking breaks when I’m sick isn't enough. I need to truly step away from work and recharge.

This isn’t just about putting up a "Do Not Disturb" sign – it’s about genuinely disconnecting and taking care of myself.

Let me break down my Do Not Disturb schedule for you:

7 AM to 9 AM: Slow start

9 AM to 11 AM:Coworking .

2 PM to 3 PM: Personal learning time.

4 PM to 6 PM: Deep Work

7 PM to 9 PM: Evening Coworking

9 PM to 6 AM: Complete downtime, allowing myself a good night's rest.

Now, I’m taking accountability. I’m learning to rest more, not just for a day, but really stepping aside and letting others take the lead. If you know me, you know I’m an optimistic, creative control lady. I lead by doing, and as I do, I get more ideas, and those ideas keep me going.

I advocate for slowing down and not oscillating between extremes. However, the reality of my situation is that I have to take frequent breaks due to health flare-ups. I experience these flare-ups a minimum of three times a week. For instance, if I have a meeting on Monday and Tuesday, I often have to rest in the morning and start late. I can only manage a few hours of work before being knocked out in bed, dealing with pain.

When I can't type or do certain tasks, I rely on dictation, just like I'm dictating this email. So, while it may seem like I don't take breaks, the truth is I have to step aside frequently due to my health. If I go to the gym, it results in two days in bed. These flare-ups significantly impact my ability to work continuously.

Moving forward, I'm committed to:

• Taking breaks, even when I'm not sick.
• Communicating more openly and consistently with you.
• Finding what makes me happy again, even if it's work.
• 
  

Fun fact: I was recently diagnosed with Autism. This revelation has been bittersweet, but it has helped me understand myself better. The work I’m doing with the NHS has been wonderful, and I’m proud of the projects we’re working on. more details coming

I want to share this journey with you because I believe it can resonate with many of you. We all have our struggles, and we often push ourselves too hard. It’s important to recognize when we need to slow down and take care of ourselves.

As your guide and coach, I encourage you to reflect on your own journey.

Are you taking enough breaks?

Are you prioritizing your health?

Are you willing to do something about this

It’s time to make yourself the hero of your story. Embrace the changes you need to make and find balance in your life.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Welcome back to Leverage, Volume 2. Let’s continue to inspire and support each other. Remember – don’t worry, be happy!

PS if you are not in the whatsapp group let me know by responding to this email .

Best,

DK