On Wednesday at Royal Ascot I had my first live glimpse of the Queen. Of course I have seen her in countless pictures and on TV, but it’s never the same as seeing her in the flesh! She is truly an amazing person.
Considering her age, it is also truly amazing how hard she works. And believe me, all the events, occasions, banquets, etc she attends really is working. She has to be totally in control of everything she does, as not only will she be scrutinised by millions of people, but she has over 60 years of maintaining her status and positioning within the world. She is more than an institution, she is a piece of history.
If anyone is to keep up such a gruelling lifestyle she really needs to look after herself. Although she is our Queen, and performs a public duty, it would be no good if she had to cancel due to ill health or lack of stamina. I think the only time she didn’t attend the opening of Parliament is when she was expecting her two younger sons. Therefore to maintain his ongoing endurance, with only August off when she goes to her estate in Balmoral, she must have a rigorous health and nutritional regime interspersed within her strenuous protocol.
Recently I have started a new diet. I know this isn’t very interesting, as women are going on diets all the time (yawn, yawn), but what is relevant to me is the fact that I have had to rearrange my life around it. Not only has food become a medicinal matter (rather than a pleasure), but my day has to be calculated around when I should be eating as well as what. And suddenly because I have to divide my time better, this structure has revealed more opportunities for getting things done!
I suppose what I really needed was a proper focus outside my business to shake things up. A lack of structure to the day will prevent tasks being completed on time, or sufficient time put aside to accomplish them. Having a laissez-faire attitude doesn’t help anyone, particularly yourself, and even though your diary may be carefully calculated to conveniently fit in relevant appointments, it ought to be done to suit you, rather than your clients.
Long ago, when I was going through a bit of a mental breakdown, my mother suggested carving up my day into chunks which had certain tasks within them. I wasn’t ready at that time to make the commitment, my mind still being in turmoil, but now I understand what she means, particularly as that is how she has managed to accomplish all the amazing things she has done in her life. Even though now she is (officially) retired, she still keeps to a rigid regime, watches what she eats, fits in what exercise she can manage, and copes with looking after my father. I suppose old habits die hard, especially if they are good ones.
Isn’t it interesting how we can learn from good rolemodels?! I think observing what other people do can be a great prompt to examine/ tweak our routines. I would imagine that the Queen has a very clear daily routine and that her engagements all have to follow a certain format. However I think the challenge for many busy women is to be able to practise new habits long enough to experience the positive benefits and the new routine becomes engrained and a natural part of our life! Good luck with the new diet (routine) Alice!