A Year End Retrospective

Vanessa Lee

‎Like many of you I am sure, I travel almost every month of the year- usually with July and August at home. All in all, in 2014 I will have spent more than 4 months away from home and more than 80 nights on ships or in hotels (and a few nights on planes too).

I know I stayed 52 nights in Starwood Hotels as I keep track of my status. I also attended the launch of 5 new ships this year – Uniworld’s exquisite S.S. Catherine; the power yacht Star Pride from Windstar; the christening of AmaSonata from Ama Waterways by my friend and colleague, Brenda Kyllo; the Regal Princess festivities kicking off Princess Cruises’ 50th Anniversary celebrations, and to end the year in style, the launch of Royal Caribbean’s game-changing ship, Quantum of the Seas. All were memorable and special for so many diverse reasons. And naturally I am already planning some cruises for 2015 and a few more christenings along the way!

For some reason this year seems to have taken a toll and not just for me but for a number of industry colleagues and friends whom I have spoken with recently. It seems that it has just been "one of those years".

But doesn't that seem to ring more true every year now? Isn't it the norm to be worn out and just simply tired much of the time. It never seems to stop. It's the expectation of always being on call, of having to work some part of every business day and weekends as well, and most of all, to be somewhat available 24/7. Now I happen to love my job; I am my own boss which helps, but still “being burned out” is a common thread in my life too.

I read an article in Monday’s Globe and Mail which gave me pause and food for thought. Funnily enough it seems that I (and likely many of you also) am caught up in a whirlwind of simply trying to do too much. The article was titled “The 70 Per Cent Solution” and its essence is that rather than giving your 110 percent 24/7, while still feeling the pressure to do more, you should reduce that anxiety and stress; resolve to do less and dial it back by about 30%.

First of all I get really irritated when people say they will give you 110%. That is impossible – 100% is the # – not 110. One can’t expect that and nor should you. I have always said – endeavor to give around 90% and that will be terrific most of the time.

However the article makes a very good point and maybe trying for 70% most of the time is a better and healthier solution. Another quote from the piece, written by Adriana Barton says,“Trying to be all things to all people leads to anxiety, irritability and burnout. It’s time to dial it back – by about 30% - and put your own well-being first”.

I totally agree. And several books worth reading about this topic are mentioned too. Check out Christine Carter’s book “The Sweet Spot: How to Find Your Groove at Home and Work,” which will be released in January (I would have loved to find that under the tree on Christmas morning though). Also featured is Leo Babauta author of “The Power of Less” and creator of ZenHabits.net which is a very popular blog according to Time magazine.

So maybe, just maybe, as we relax this festive season and catch up on our lives a bit, some of us (maybe most of us!) should consider a New Year’s resolution of trying to sustain giving 70% across the board and acknowledge that will probably do just fine most of the time. Perhaps a resolve to do less but do it better, faster or more effectively will deliver appropriate results and perhaps, we will all end up at this time next year ready to have some fun and party rather than spending our days burned out and yearning for introspective, snuggle-down time rather than quality time spent with those we love and value.

I wish you all happiness, health, prosperity and the ability to take from your world and those who inhabit it, the joy, peace and harmony that should be within us all year. May we all cherish the warmth of the season and those who love us. And 70% of me will be back in this spot in January.