How to Adjust Your Timing Pendulum When Medical Issues Arise

Cancer. Surgery. Chronic migraines. Lupus. Broken limb.

Medical diagnoses, whether temporary or permanent, often wreak havoc with our schedules. Cancer requires additional doctor appointments and treatments. Information accumulates. Medicine needs to be taken at certain times and in specific conditions. Chronic migraines or lupus impact your ability to complete regular duties. A broken limb or surgery often necessitate additional time to navigate personal grooming.

Some medical conditions may change over time, due to a variety of factors. When that happens, it’s important to remember that your calendar may be impacted in some way as you work to better manage your diagnosis.

From personal experience, I can assure you that having rotator cuff surgery on the shoulder of your dominant hand impairs the ability to do things you usually don’t have to think about. Picture being in a sling and having lots of pain every time you move your arm. Then consider the variety of grooming activities you do on a daily basis.😊

Yet for some reason, we think we can “add” a medical condition to our life and nothing will change.

Consider a grandfather or grandmother clock. To maintain time accurately, the pendulum (that thing that swings back and forth) must swing at a certain pace. Did you know that the term “speed up” comes from pendulum clocks? If the clock runs slow, then you move the weight up to make it run faster. On the other hand, if the clock runs too fast, then you move the weight down to slow it down. Whenever the time is incorrect, an adjustment must be made.

Why do I find this interesting? During a medical situation you may have an increase in appointments (doctors, testing, etc.) which impacts your schedule and prevents you from working on other obligations. You may have a decrease in appetite and/or energy (due to the diagnosis or a treatment for the condition) which increases the amount of time it takes to complete common tasks.

Yet, when you aren’t purposeful about modifying your responsibilities, any adjustments you make tend to be counterproductive. You sleep less, eat fast food on the run, get overwhelmed and have crucial activities fall through the cracks, decrease self-care activities, etc.

Wouldn’t it be better to intentionally shift your obligations and schedule so you can be more productive both at home and work?

Here are some quick ways to adjust your time pendulum:

1. Eat healthy.
2. Stay hydrated.
3. Get informed.
4. Recruit support.
5. Practice self-care.
6. Delete, defer, or delegate all non-essential tasks.
7. Restrict information intake (about diagnosis, local or world events, and anything that creates extra stress).

Yes, I know I make it sound easy. I know that it’s not. I struggle in these areas too.

I’m pretty consistent on staying hydrated, getting informed, and restricting information intake. I have some good self-care routines: adequate sleep, walking regularly, monthly massages, and attending fun events with friends. I’m not as good with brief moments of self-care throughout the day or week. I’m improving in my ability to delete, defer or delegate all non-essential tasks…with some exceptions!😊My weakest areas are eating healthy and recruiting support.

The good news is that I’m acquainted with my need to improve in these two areas. In fact, AWARENESS is a crucial part of keeping our timing pendulum where it needs to be. Some of my clients need support in becoming more cognizant of the needs in their life.

Time to adjust your time pendulum?

If you want more tactics in addition to the seven above, check out my post 3 Actionable Strategies to Create a Calmer Life. As the title indicates, it has 3 Actionable Strategies,😊along with lots of examples.