Homecoming

IMG 0287 Homecoming

To add more depth to my Tweet of a few minutes ago.

I’ve been away from home for 11 days, training, consulting and coaching – also visiting with family in Manchester (last weekend) – and arrived back just before 22:00 last night after an epic 330-mile drive from Dartford to Falmouth.

The last three working days have been back to back workshops – and I normally expect to be somewhat hoarse after “all that speaking” – but not to wake up at 04:30 this morning with a temperature and a raging sore throat.

The fact is that we all have to recognise the message when our bodies or minds tell us that they have “had enough” – and mine is saying just that.

Fortunately I have three days at home now before leaving again on Monday morning – and a chance today to catch up and prepare.

I find myself repeating a process that I have written about before.

In the foreground of the photograph you see the pile of post that has accumulated down here whilst I have been away.

I add to that a very long “to do” list that has built up in my Franklin Day-Planner.

Paperwork does not play a significant role in my life, currently due to the world-class efforts of my personal assistant Phillippa Goodwin.

I delegate at Olympic Gold Medallist standards:

  • set a task
  • set a deadline
  • agree a feedback system when the task is completed
  • DON’T INTERFERE
  • trust

That approach empowers Phillippa to run the admin side of my professional life better than I ever could.

However, there is a general build up of domestic “stuff” that we all have to tolerate (I have thought about employing a butler – but I think you would all laugh at me).

So I return to the “pile of post” that you see before you – and slip into the time honoured protocol of:

  • making a list
  • prioritising the list
  • doing the A’s first etc

You’ve heard me say that so many times.

So here goes with my desk day – tempered by my sore throat and general burn out.

We’ll see how it develops – steady as she goes.

I’ll be expecting lots of sympathy……..

About the Author

Chris Barrow

27 November 2009 by Chris Barrow

Chris Barrow is co-founder of Barrow Kwong Hing Group of Companies, a private dental corporate active in independent and retail dentistry and post-graduate dental education, operating in the UK and Canada. Chris has been active as a consultant, trainer and coach to the UK dental profession for over 15 years. As a speaker he is dynamic, energetic and charismatic. In 1993 Chris moved into business coaching and became one of the first UK students at Coach University, from where he graduated as a certified coach. In 1997, he created The Dental Business School (DBS) and the development of a 12-month business coaching programme for dental practice owners and their teams, delivered to over 400 UK dental practices in the following 10 years.

 In the last 5 years Chris has acted as a Non-Executive Director, Director and Consultant to a number of dental corporates, whilst maintaining his freelance activity as a dental business coach for independent practice owners. BKH is the culmination of his past experience in the business of UK dentistry

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3 responses to “Homecoming”

  1. Neil Harris

    Forget the butler. Get a chauffer!

  2. Andy

    Get well soon! Rest up and recover!

  3. Julian

    Still think you need to take a look at your desk layout and do it properly, health and safety in the work place is your responsibility and should be taken seriously. Key board, plug in monitor at the correct height and a mouse with wrist rest, can’t see your chair so won’t comment.

    Oh and hope the sore throat goes soon, bet Annie is enjoying the peace and quiet!

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