While in the middle of prime building season, it is easy to get wrapped up in day to day details. Moving from project to project can mean long hours, and this can mean little time for family obligations. It can also mean forgetting to take care of yourself. General Contractors need to remember that when the going gets tough, the tough take care of themselves. Eat Right Summer can mean long days in the sun and dealing with humidity. If you don’t eat right and get enough to drink you can end up dehydrated. Make sure to take the time to eat, especially in the morning. Skipping breakfast can mean that you don’t have the fuel you need to help your body get through the day. You will also find it hard to concentrate or remember important tasks. Also make sure you take frequent breaks on hot days to replenish bodily fluids. Make sure you drink water or sports drinks and try to avoid sugary drinks or caffeinated beverages that will only make you more dehydrated. Remember, if you start to get thirsty you are already showing the signs of mild dehydration, so stop what you are doing and get something to drink. Get Enough Sleep When you have a million things to do and not enough hours in the day, it may seem like the last thing you have time for is sleep. Sleep however is something that General Contractors shouldn’t skip, especially when they are busy. When people are sleep deprived it can make them careless, which can lead to accidents. Not everyone needs eight hours of sleep a night, but most people need at least six in order to function. Learn how much sleep you need to feel refreshed, clear headed, and ready to take on the day. Then make sure you get that amount every night without fail. You will find your productivity increases and you can accomplish more in a day without working long hours. Exercise While it may seem that a General Contractor should get enough exercise on the job, you need to make sure you set aside time to exercise each week. This will keep your muscles strong and your body more resistant to illness or strain. Many people in this industry end up with back or leg injuries that force them to retire early. Regular exercise will help reduce this risk and let you enjoy your career longer. Relax Make sure you take time to do activities you enjoy. Even spending twenty or thirty minutes relaxing will help rejuvenate you. This will help you feel less stressed, which reduces the chance of making a mistake. It will also decrease the chances of getting burnt out until you can take the time for an extended vacation. Eating right, getting enough sleep, exercising and relaxing are activities that fall to the wayside when you are busy. As a general contractor, making sure you fit these activities back into your schedule will improve job performance, and reduce the chance that you become sick or hurt. Taking an hour a day to read a book is preferable to losing several days of work due to an occupational injury.