Break from Bacchus

It’s been about a year since things really, really, really started to go down hill with WaMu. Twelve months ago we were in the midst of a corporate initiative called “Project Restart.” Which was an intensive cost cutting measure, including reduction in force, and potential restructuring. To save money, ah hem, we had McKinsey in to help us think through streamlining approaches and to asses our effectiveness as an organization. After years of trying through failed efforts (one early cost cutting measure was called "Project Franklin"….as in the Benjamins), this seemed downright serious. Things had to change….or else.

Similarly, this weekend, my husband and I tried a two day “detox diet.” While many medical professionals say it’s unnecessary, we had felt that it would be a good way to reflect on our eating habits (his for high cholesterol and mine for the lbs. I want to lose) and to give our bodies a break from the usual unfettered gluttony we’ve come to know and love through our fascination with fabulous food and wine.

Like in corporate America, when you have to get rid of pet projects, make tough decisions, “trim the fat,” we had to spend an entire weekend without caffeine, salt, sugar, wheat, wine, meat and dairy. We had to do what “was good for us,” which was eat bitter green salads with lemon, garlic, olive oil dressing, steam our veggies, drink lemon water constantly and try things to detox like steamy hot showers and a massage (the latter I didn’t mind!).

I wish there was a two day “detox diet” for large companies needing to make change. Can you imagine? Corporate initiatives take so darn long that the world changes around them and the projects have to get renamed and take a different shape with perhaps a new sponsor. All it does is cause great confusion and a lack of productivity (which is generally the antithesis of why they're doing it in the first place.) What if the leaders of organizations could come up with a really good plan and just execute it, flawlessly and quickly, with everyone doing their part?

James and I had a clear vision for the weekend, a structured plan, a commitment to seeing it through and we supported each other when caffeine headaches started and when will power was starting to weaken. There was no….”okay…you can put salt and butter on that steamed artichoke.”

Of course, I realize that a two person “organization” is much less complicated than a multi-unit company, but still…the message is the same. Figure out the best path, commit to it fully even if it kind of sucks some times, and move towards the goal together. (No passive-aggresive behavior, no hidden agendas, no letting your fear and/or ego lead the way).

This morning, we woke up a bit groggy, but feeling good and committed to being more thoughtful about what we put in our mouths and how we spend our time together. It seems like our own little restart. This time, though, as “project restarts” go, it’s going to work.