"Sanity and happiness are an impossible combination." Mark Twain

It has been a hectic few weeks for me. In between planning and announcing my new expedition project, preparing for the Expedition School, writing more than one article and slaving to finish a book proposal (Friday is my deadline for both articles and proposal!), I have not had a great deal of time to just do nothing or kick back. Or have I?

As I look back in this time of supposed flat out working I note that I have still managed to train twice a week grappling, get in 4 surf sessions and I even managed to get back on the river finally. Mmmm...what was I saying about hard work? The strangest thing is, my productivity (I believe) has gone through the roof. I sit here in my office cum front room surrounded on 2 sides by giant windows, a view of my yard out one and the mountains out the other. So many apparent distractions and yet I am smashing through my work. In London, I had far less to amuse me (not drinking means the appeal of a pub does not excite me so much!) and yet I would go days with a pathetic amount to show for 12 hours in front of my laptop.

Being inundated with work can be daunting. "Putting out fires" is how I think it's described. All this fire fighting catches up with you and exhaustion sets in. Before you know it, you are in trouble. Almost as if you are sinking. Being under the pump can be a great thing but if you do not have an outlet or an escape, you are done for! Luckily I have many, as mentioned above. Getting away from my desk, quite often it would seem, has done me wonders!

I do not even think it has to be mountains, or rivers, or the ocean. A park will do the trick. Hell, a pub will do it, so long as you do not return to your desk too worse for wear! What strategies do you employ? Perhaps knowingly or quite by chance.

Right, I am off for a surf! Kidding! I really got to get these articles and proposal done. It's all about balance!