...you have heard it probably 100 times...but have you ever LISTENED to it?

..."in the event of the cabin loosing pressure, the air masks will drop from the overhead compartment, BEFORE HELPING THE PERSON IN THE SEAT BESIDE YOU, PUT ON YOUR OWN AIR MASK FIRST..."

...why do they REMIND YOU OF THIS?... because too many people put others' primary needs ahead of their own...so much so, that if not reminded they may sacrifice their selves to help others...

...I see it all of the time, lives dictated by the people around them, to such a degree that their own lives suffer...or even put at risk...

...I get it, especially with a little-fISH on the way, I get the importance of sacrifice, giving to others...family, friends,partners, clients...BUT IF YOU DON'T TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND YOUR NEEDS FIRST...(putting on your air-mask first...)you may not be able to help others put theirs on...

...we aren't talking about WANTS...(YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF A BIG CHUNK OF THOSE TOO!)...we are talking needs... Personal time, space, nutrition, sleep and "sharpening the saw" (thanks big-dave)...

...if these are not part of your daily EMERGENCY CARE PLAN...you will find yourself choking in a short time...

EASIER SAID THAN DONE....? NO...

Here are some tips to ensure that YOU are taking care of yourself
1- Take 15 minutes per day to organize your NEEDS for the day- or better yet, the next day....or next week...workout times, personal time, identify nutritional hurdles, etc.
2- Turn off the TV in the bedroom...that extra 1/2 hour of Letterman, "the National", Sportsdesk etc...gets you thinking before bed...you will be glad you shut it (your brain) down earlier the next morning...
3- Nutrition...easy to let slide...but also easy to plan...keep healthy snacks on hand, eat a good breakfast and visit the water cooler 5-6 times a day...SEE YOU ARE 1/2 WAY THERE ALREADY...limit your "junk food" to 1 "episode" per week and it is almost as good as it gets...GREAT JOB
4- ...and lastly...talk about it...commit yourself and your family, friends to a healthy life-style...there is STRENGTH IN NUMBERS...be accountable to someone with your goals...

After all, if you can't take care of yourself properly, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TAKING CARE OF OTHERS....?

...COME ON MAN, PUT ON YOUR AIR MASK....!

Until next time ELITE NATION.
Onward and upward,
your pal,
fISH