October 14, 2010

Dear DaVitaLand!

It is Thursday afternoon. Counting the US, I am in my 4th country since Sunday am when I caught the plane out of New York, and 5th city since Saturday when I flew the red-eye out of the west to get to New York. Yikes!

Tuesday was brutal. I was so tired, but we were heavily booked, starting with the early plane all the way thru dinner (except I did get a glorious 75 minute nap before dinner).. No exercise! I did get to meet with one of the country’s leading nephologists. I did get to visit an outstanding dialysis center and meet many of the nurses there. I did get to meet with a senior government health care official, and talk about DaVita helping them with kidney care. So from a work point of view it was a highly productive adventure. It required about 5 diet cokes to make it thru the day, but nobody said life would be easy. I bet some of you have had days like that this week too – let’s hang in there!

On Wednesday morning I had the wonderful feeling of starting the day with exercise after almost 7 hours of sleep. My body wanted that feeling of refreshment with striking intensity. 24 good minutes on a bike, with 3 intervals. Push-ups, crunches, curls, plus some healthy stretching in a steam room. Total minutes of 37.

Post workout we hustled to meet with a local health care company with whom we might do a joint venture. Once again it was the DaVita track record that opened that door. Thanks to all of you for that track record

We tried to see a museum on the way to the airport, but it was closed, which was a bummer. On we went to the airport, and then flew to the country I am now in. Once I got to the hotel I did 3.5 hours of conference calls with DaVitans in the US, and then had a great career and company conversation with the teammate I am traveling with at a dinner that started at 9 pm. I did a few emails after dinner, then some paperwork, then called my wife and finally read the paper which I absolutely treasure doing each night before I go to bed – all told it was lights out at 1 am.

Today we met with a local health care consultant, then had a couple meetings with local hospital executives. We created a little gap in the afternoon, wherein I raced back to the hotel and just completed an energizing workout! 26 solid minutes on the bike, one set of curls and push-ups, and some stretching. Total of 35 minutes of refreshment!

Now I have an hour to do email before heading out to a final meeting. Then it is on to the airport for a red-eye to Bangkok, Thailand. I will meet some people there tomorrow, and then start a vacation on Saturday. I hope you are all having a strong week, and I will try to respond to the last batch of messages before I start my vacation – reading your notes always give me a boost of energy.

As the Buddhists say “One cannot pour from an empty cup.” The Match the Mayor campaign is a good way to help me refill my cup. I hope it does that for you too. Take care, my 1700 partners!
KT