My New Adventure: The Robin Sharma Way

My first encounter with Robin Sharma was through his book, "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" years ago. It has made quite an impression on me that i look forward to reading more of his work. But MY work got in the way and i never got to follow it up with another but he remained on my look-out list.

More than two years after my stroke, i am at a point when i am craving for "productivity". With half my body, my right side which is also my strong side, still not fully awake and still needs to catch up, my day can be monotonous.

A typical day would have me watching TV, engaged on my social networks, reading (but not as much as before) , surfing the net, playing games on my iPad, on Facetime and Viber conversations highlighted by an occasional get-together with friends or a short day trip around town.

I was used to a 12-14-hour work schedule in my previous life, teeming with meetings, materials to read, papers to write, out-of-town trips, group discussions and decisions to make. As an executive's assistant i was always on the go and at hand at a moments notice. Imagine the drastic changes i have to endure post-stroke. Thus, the craving for more productive action.

One very early morning, around 2am, i awoke with a start, not knowing what awoke me or why. I opened my iPad to go to Facebook and i chanced upon an invitation from Robin Sharma to try his productivity workbook and join his FB Group. I was naturally interested. The moment i accepted his invitation, i was hooked and my fascination with his work re-kindled.

It was like a prayer answered. I was looking for a structure, a tool, a way to help me have a more productive day and i was given so much more. I am GRATEFUL i re-discovered Robin (feeling close) at a time when i have all the time in the world to try out his teachings. Not only to READ his works and LEARN from it but to actually DO as he suggests and LIVE and BE BETTER from it.

From his workbook, " Your Productivity Unleashed " i have re-defined my day to start at 5:00 in the morning ( he says our mind is most alert and active in the 5-8 in the morning window ) and i incorporated his 20-20-20 system -- 20 minutes exercise, 20 minutes journal entry to include at least 5 goals for the day, and 20 minutes for learning something. I will discuss how i do this "holy hour" in detail next time.

Also, i have re-designed my day after his " 90-minute spint then rest " model. I will do an activity, say read or write for 90 minutes then stop to do something else to rest or re-focus, then continue what i am doing or begin a new activity. He says this way helps my mind focus more and function better particularly on comprehension, retention etc.

When i logged in to get the workbook, i joined his FB group and was introduced to so many like-minded people that it felt like an early Christmas party! And more materials are available to help me along.

I will re-read "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" . I will follow my new schedule for a more productive day. I will review my life goals and personal aspirations primarily using his guide and teachings. And i will share my journey i now call, My New Adventure: The Robin Sharma Way.

You are most welcome to join.

LOOKING BACK

This time, two years ago, i was on a hospital bed trying to process an information given me -- I had a mild stroke. CT-Scan showed, i had a burst vein in my brain that looks like a tiny dot and technically called a HEMORRHAGIC STROKE.

My speech was slurred, part of my face drooped or visibly sagged but i was back to "normal" after a few hours and was discharged from the hospital after a couple of days.

I had no idea " the big one " will strike shortly after. After ten days, i had a ISCHEMIC STROKE or there was a blockage in my brain, in a cerebral artery, that occurred where my motor skills "command center" is -- my right side slowly took a leave of absence and i was left with just "half a body".  Well, that's another story.

Looking back, what could have i done differently in those ten days, i asked myself soon after and still when i recall what happened. Looking back... none ... in ten days. I was already STROKE waiting to happen.

My blood sugar was in the high 200, blood pressure not straying far from 140-180 / 100, my mind on my work and other things 24/7. I thought i can manage... i was only 43 anyway, i can take it... or so i thought.

Looking back, way way before May 8, 2012... i should have paid attention at the time my blood pressure started displaying abnormal rates more often, when my weight almost doubled, when my laboratory results gave high non-normal values. I should have paid attention years ago. Then why didn't i?

I did not pay attention because there was no pain. I did not pay attention because there was NO pain. How stupid was that?

Looking back, i thought then that there were NO immediate concerns because i was not feeling any pain. There was no discomfort. Nothing could be terribly wrong if there is no pain right? WRONG.

Looking back, i know now that our chances of avoiding health problems is higher IF we pay attention to what our body is telling us. When our body is screaming at us through our laboratory results or random checks on our vital signs -- blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, triglycerides, creatinine etc. Or whispering silently when we're always stressed or when we look in the mirror or step on the scale.

LISTEN AND PAY ATTENTION. Act to remedy and correct where need be ASAP - as soon as possible. Not ten days before or a week BEFORE the major stroke or heart attack. Not at stage 3 or 4 of cancer. Not before a limb is set to be amputated or an eye goes blind. As soon as you know you're no longer in the healthy range is the best time to act. Then, our chances of a good fight is on our side.

What-you-don't-know-won't-hurt-you DOES NOT apply to our health. We need to know the status of our health all the time so we don't get hurt.

Looking back, i am grateful to have come a long way from where i was two years ago. But, I know now that when my body is telling me something, i stand at full attention.

And you should too. :)