Like Any Normal Day

I gave advice this morning that I try to take myself, especially during difficult times: Try to make your routine as normal as possible, and act like it's any normal day. This may sound simple, but it isn't. When your heart is broken (as in the case of the person to whom I gave this advice) or your foot is hurting and healing (as in my case), I think there's a lot to be said for at least attempting to keep things the way they usually are -- or, even better, the way you'd like them to be. I guess this is a variation on the "acting as if" theme. The deeper the pain that's throwing you off -- whether emotional, physical, or a combination -- the more difficult an exercise this is.

But really, what's the alternative? To wallow in the pain? To cry about what you've lost or about how hard life is? I think it's fine to do that too, as long as it isn't all you do. Sadness and despair are slippery slopes, and (at least in my experience) if you indulge in either too much, it's hard to climb out. A few days ago, as my young associate was leaving after a short visit and trash-putting-out, I said, "Stop by anytime. I'm not going anywhere . . . again . . . ever." I was kind of joking and rambling. He looked at me for a minute and said, with a straight face, "Maybe you shouldn't take on any coaching clients for a little while." Of course, I laughed and that made everything better.