Delegation

If you get sick enough to see a doctor, then you’re turning over your health to a complete stranger.  That stranger will order needles stuck in you, medications (toxins) to ingest, and might even recommend cutting you open.  That’s stressful, especially for people who can’t delegate or who second guess everything. The same is true of air travel.  I have gotten on a plane thousands of times without ever thinking about the pilot’s qualifications, the engine maintenance, whether I’m sitting next to a terrorist.   Maybe it’s being naive, but I have difficulty ordering around people who I’ve hired when I can’t do the job myself. To reduce your health stress give more control to your care givers, but take full responsibility for your overall health.

Delegation, it’s easier said than done, especially if you are a non-delegator.  A friend of mine was always complaining about his workload, putting in long hours and weekends, while at the same time getting poor performance reviews.  His employees figured out he was a non-delegator, so when he gave them a task, they wouldn’t act on it immediately which caused him to jump in and do the job instead.  He ended up doing all their work and they sat around watching him toil.  I have this issue at home.  Diane likes having the pillows arranged on the bed in a specific pattern, so it’s not enough to make the bed and throw the pillows on it; the pillows have to be arranged in a specific pattern which differs for each bed.  I’m only smart enough to pour piss out of boot, so I’ve been banned from making the beds.  I’m writing this post from the comfort of the couch watching Diane place the pillows in perfect order.

Delegation is never about complicated tasks.  You’ll never hear your spouse say, “Honey, could you adjust the control rods in the nuclear reactor this morning so we avoid a nuclear explosion?”  Delegation is always about simple things, ie. “Honey, could you empty the litter box;” “Honey, could you clean off the kitchen counter;”. “Honey, could you put your pants on before taking the garbage out?”  How hard is it to let other people take on these simple tasks?  Delegation will reduce your stress and improve your health.  When it comes to your own health, however, you can’t delegate it; you’ll need to take responsibility for it. Like delegation, responsibility is not that difficult:  go to the doctor when you’re sick and not just when your spouse hounds you; follow the doctor’s orders and get the EKG, chest x-ray, prescriptions filled, etc.   Ignorance is bliss unless it’s chest pain.  Slainte!