When things happen outside your control, be kind to yourself and others

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Episode Transcript

Matt's message carrier (00:26):
This was not a planned episode.
This is not your regular host,Matt speaking.
This is Matt's thoughts though,and a voiceover is conveying
them and the message he wantsyou to hear.
It will all make sense shortly,don't worry! I planned on
recording an episode with aspecial guest(Rock Thomas this
week).
Something unexpected came up.
It delayed a lot of work.

(00:46):
It put things on pause.
After a beautiful hike in thePirin mountains of Bansko
Bulgaria, at the weekend, Ireturned home a little tired and
immensely satisfied of the viewsand hiking I had done with my
girlfriend and new found friendfrom Co Working Bansko here who
was our guide.
When I tried to sleep thatnight, I had progressively worse
pain in my tooth.

(01:07):
I called the dentist the nextday and he suggested taking pain
killers and coming in firstthing the day after for a check
up.
The painkillers worked to someextent, and that night I woke up
several times in pain and tookmore painkillers than I should
have.
After being given antibiotics(onmy request) and finding a huge
abscess in my tooth aftergetting an X-Ray, I was told I

(01:28):
would need to have my toothremoved.
Thankfully I had the presence ofmind to get a second opinion
from a top dentist in thecapital city of Sofia.
And travelled that day and hadmy first attempt at root canal
surgery.
That night and the next day Ihad amazing treatment I hadn’t
slept properly for over 3 daysand couldn’t concentrate on
anything before this surgery wascompleted.

(01:50):
I had to cancel amazinginterviews I lined up and a
guest slot I had on thisperson’s hugely popular podcast.
Work was piling up from myclients.
I was behind.
I was exhausted.
I knew I had no content for thisweek’s show.
Stress was building.
I was still sore from theoperations.
A complex set of root canalswith various complications.

(02:12):
Then I realised something.
I have a choice.
I can choose work commitmentsover my health.
Or rest and be kind to myselfand have faith that others
depending on my work would alsohave compassion.
And that happened.
Several work and client callswere cancelled or postponed.

(02:32):
Some deadlines were extended.
But everyone was in good health.
The world moved around still.
And now I am able to speakbetter as the soreness has
healed mostly.
I wanted to leave you all withthis message, reflected in the
content and vulnerability and Ihope authenticity of this
episode’s unplanned content.
When unexpected events happen,when the most important things

(02:55):
to you are threatened like yourhealth, be kind to yourself.
Stop.
Pause.
Communicate to your employer youneed rest.
Your health is important.
Communicate to your clients andprospects you need to reschedule
and tell them what is wrong Theyare human.

(03:15):
They can put themselves in yourshoes, and show empathy.
Be real.
Be vulnerable.
Make it up to people when yourecover if you can.
Never compromise your health forthe sake of making more money.
The stories I’ve heard of peopleblacking out, having heart
attacks, strokes, anxietyattacks and other medical

(03:36):
illnesses are many, both fromfriends and guests on this Burn
From Within show Notableexamples include Malia Griggs
talking of her medical issuesfrom burn out, through to Matt
Harry freezing with fear andgetting anxiety while working in
a trading floor and recoveringfrom heroin addiction.
And then there are friends,people I know well, and friends

(03:56):
of friends, going throughmedical issues.
And it doesn’t stop at medicalissues.
Addictions from work relatedstress, a lack of balance for
important things in life likerelationships, exercise and
relaxation are prevalent, fromexcessive drinking, taking drugs
regularly(prescription andillegal ones), sex addiction,
video game addiction, the listgoes on.

(04:18):
So if you are listening to thisand any of this resonates with
you.
Take a moment this weekend.
This week.
This minute.
Be kind to yourself.
You only have one life.
Prioritize your health And ifothers don’t respect that, and
are unreasonable towards thisimportant value that we all have
deep down and believe me, whenyou are ill or old and on your

(04:42):
death bed, there is nothing moreyou will value than your health.
If others do not respect yourhealth, perhaps it's time to
reevaluate who you are spendingtime with, who you are working
with and remember once again.
Be kind to yourself.
And be kind to others.
Be flexible when you need to beCommunicate your vulnerability

(05:03):
with others.
And reciprocate this when othersneed some breathing space.
This episode was not planned.
But I hope my vulnerability andhonesty makes a small difference
to your life in how you approachthose unexpected curveballs life
throws at you whether thingshappen to you, your loved ones
or something gets in your way ofwork that stopped that target or

(05:25):
deadline.
Smile.
Accept it.
Life is a game to have fun in.
Until next time, live withpassion, purpose and balance,
and burn from within..
you can subscribe to thispodcast if you haven't already.
Until next time.
Live with passion, purpose, andbalance.
And burn from within.