Working Beyond Our Limits with Julian Krieg

Have you ever had the experience of trying to explain to someone that they are working a piece of equipment beyond its limits?

One of my mates has been trying to get a bit more power out of his vehicle lately. He has fitted a Turbo, extractors, gas injection on his diesel etc and doing this has definitely increased his power significantly, but at a cost. His vehicle cooling system couldn’t cope, his warranty is gone and now he has a broken crankshaft.

Perhaps you have returned something under Warranty and been asked “What were you doing when it broke” and been told in no uncertain terms that “This piece of equipment was never designed to do that!’’ and therefore the warranty claim is not going to be met.

This type of thing happens all the time with cars, tractors farm equipment kitchen appliances and all manner of things right down to the clothes we wear and we generally accept that misuse or abuse leads to equipment failure.

Perhaps we should step back and say to ourselves what am I doing to myself that alters my life balance and puts me at risk in balancing my lifestyle. Does this sound a bit like what my mate has done to his vehicle?

It doesn’t matter how old or young you are if you force yourself to operate at a level that is above your optimum performance range for extended periods of time you will experience premature failure of one of your wellbeing systems, either physical or mental. I guess the answer is easier said than done but we need to take stock from time to time that we are operating within our limitations.

We also need to prepare for the season ahead and consider our fitness as well as our machines. It is important to take stock and develop appropriate strategies now to avoid problems at a critical time later. Like machines, we often consider pushing ourselves way beyond the limits. Are we working too hard, eating and exercising enough, maintaining a balanced social lifestyle as well as the needs of our partners and children?

It is important that we put as much effort into looking after ourselves as we put into looking after our toys. There is a saying that “We often don’t value something until we lose it” take steps now to ensure you look after yourself. If we burn the candle at both ends, either working playing or partying it will catch up with us. Take care to keep a good balance and prepare for the season ahead. – Julian