Timothy Asaivao
IN the quiet, pre-dawn darkness of Saipan, while most of the island sleeps, Timothy L. Asaivao is already moving.
The sea is still, reflecting the last stars of the night, as he and five teammates from the Marianas Outrigger Club prepare their outrigger canoe for another morning practice session.
It’s 5:30 A.M., and for Tim, as colleagues and friends know him, this isn’t just exercise. It’s the foundation of everything that follows.
As project director for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration at the CNMI Department of Labor, where he has worked for six years, Tim’s days are packed with responsibilities.
Leading a team of four specialists, he guides workplace safety initiatives across the islands, visiting businesses and providing crucial consultation on keeping employees and customers safe.
Day 1 of Micro Cup 2024.
But before any of that begins, before the phones start ringing and the meetings start, Tim is in the water, his paddle cutting through the lagoon’s waters in synchronization with his crew.
“I feel the most important thing that I’ve learned [from outrigger paddling] is that discipline is more important than motivation,” he said. “If you can be disciplined in doing the small things with as much enthusiasm and execution as the bigger things, that creates a compound effect for success, and that’s applicable in every aspect of life, whether it be sports, work, or home life.”
This philosophy didn’t develop overnight. As a husband and father juggling the demanding role of overseeing OSHA’s operations in the CNMI, Tim found that sustainable success requires more than sporadic bursts of motivation. It demands the kind of steady, daily commitment that only discipline can provide.
The Marianas Outrigger Club embodies this principle. More than just a paddling group, MOC is a diverse community united by their shared passion for the water and their commitment to developing outrigger canoeing in the CNMI through educational, recreational, cultural, and competitive programs.
Tim currently serves as the club’s president, helping to organize everything from youth workshops to Pacific Mini Games and MicroCup competitions.
Leaving work behind
For many professionals, one of the greatest challenges is learning to “switch off” from work.
The constant connectivity of modern life makes it increasingly difficult to create boundaries between professional responsibilities and personal time. Tim has found his solution in the demanding focus that outrigger paddling requires.
Tim Asaivao and the gang in one of their 5:30 A.M. routine rehearsals.
“Definitely,” he says when asked if he can leave office stress behind when he gets in the water. “Paddling is a unique sport where there are six people in the canoe working as one, so you really have to be focused on the task at hand. It is both a physical and mental sport, so while you’re paddling there’s no space to think of anything else. I’ve also learned through the years that the more I exert myself physically, the less stress I feel mentally.”
This insight speaks to a broader truth about the relationship between physical activity and mental well-being.
The demands of coordinating six paddlers in perfect harmony, reading the water conditions, and maintaining rhythm over distance create what psychologists call a “flow state”—complete absorption in the present moment that naturally crowds out other concerns.
Working in paradise might sound ideal, but the pressures of professional life can still feel overwhelming, even in the beautiful CNMI.
Tim has discovered that his morning paddles offer more than just exercise; they provide a crucial shift in perspective.
“I feel it’s important to have something that you enjoy doing and prioritize that activity as much as we do our jobs to create work/life balance,” he explains. “Paddling is a great sport. Being out on the water is very relaxing and gives you a different perspective of this beautiful island.”
That different perspective—literally seeing Saipan from the water as the sun rises—is a daily reminder of what matters most. It’s a practice that grounds him in the natural beauty of his home while preparing him mentally for the challenges ahead.
Tim Asaivao and his team compete in Micro Cup 2023 hosted by Guam Micro Cup.
The ripple effect
The benefits of Tim’s pre-dawn routine extend beyond personal wellness. His commitment to starting each day with physical activity and team coordination creates positive momentum that carries into his professional life.
“Our team practices at 5:30 A.M. before work, and it’s a great way to start the day,” Tim said. “We’re out on the water, finishing practice as the sun is rising. When I get to work, I’m already in a good mood from the physical activity and mentally in a better place because I’ve been up for a couple hours and am ready to start the day.”
This positive energy is noticed by his colleagues.
Jerome Ignacio, a safety consultant, credits Tim’s leadership for inspiring the team through both work ethic and friendly leadership.
He notes that Tim’s commitment to a healthy lifestyle has inspired their other teammates, including himself. He now paddles with the Saipan Paddling Club.
Tim’s approach to leadership—balancing demanding professional responsibilities with personal wellness and community involvement—hasn’t gone unnoticed.
This year, among the six divisions of CNMI DOL, Tim was awarded the coveted Leadership Award during Public Service Recognition Week.
“Thank you! It always feels great to be recognized,” Tim says. “We have a great team here at OSHA and DOL. I know I am the one being recognized, but it’s a team effort.”
The recognition reflects not just Tim’s individual contributions but also his ability to create an environment where team members feel inspired and supported. His daily demonstration that personal wellness and professional excellence can coexist serves as a powerful example for his colleagues.
The balance blueprint
Tim’s story offers practical insights for anyone struggling to find work-life balance. His approach isn’t about grand gestures or dramatic lifestyle changes. It’s about the power of small, consistent actions that compound over time.
The OSHA On-Site Consultation Program that Tim directs operates as part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Cooperative Program for Small Businesses, providing free and confidential on-site safety and health advice to small and medium-sized businesses.
It’s demanding work that requires attention to detail, strong leadership skills, and the ability to help businesses navigate complex safety requirements. Yet Tim has found a way to excel in this role while maintaining his commitment to personal wellness and family life.
His secret isn’t time management techniques or productivity hacks. It’s the recognition that taking care of himself enables him to serve others better.
By prioritizing his physical and mental health through disciplined morning routines, he creates the energy and focus needed to lead effectively throughout the day.
In this file photo, Marianas Outrigger Club made history on Oct. 23, 2016, by winning all three races in the men’s division of the 18th Micronesia Cup held in Koror, Palau.
For those inspired by Tim’s example but unsure of where to start, his advice is simple: “Find something that you enjoy doing that fits your life schedule. For myself and likely many others, we work to provide and take care of our families. Having a hobby or joining a sport is a great way to take care of yourself.”
The key word here is “enjoy.” Tim’s success isn’t built on forcing himself through activities he dislikes; it’s grounded in genuine passion for paddling and the water. This authentic enthusiasm makes the early mornings sustainable, even on days when motivation runs low.
As Labor Day reminds us to honor the dignity of work and the importance of fair working conditions, it’s good to be reminded that true professional success includes personal fulfillment. Tim’s daily choice to wake up before dawn, to prioritize team activities, and to maintain discipline in small things creates what he calls a “compound effect for success.”
This effect goes beyond individual achievement. By modeling healthy work-life balance, Tim creates a culture where his team members feel permission to pursue their own wellness goals.
By serving as president of the Marianas Outrigger Club, he contributes to his community’s recreational and cultural life.
By maintaining his energy and focus through physical activity, he’s better equipped to serve the businesses and workers that depend on OSHA’s guidance.
The next time you find yourself struggling with the demands of professional life, remember Tim Asaivao on the water at 5:30 A.M., discovering that discipline creates freedom, that physical exertion reduces mental stress, and that taking care of yourself is ultimately about taking better care of others.
Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is step away from productivity—and find your rhythm on the water.
Happy Labor Day weekend, everyone!
