Every weekend, my husband (who is also my business partner) and I take one day off from our busy schedules, either to go somewhere interesting and relaxing, or to visit with family and friends.
We’re just like you: we run our own businesses (which could keep us working 24/7 if we’re not careful) and we have things that need to get done around the house, too. Plus the cars need servicing, the cats need to go to the vet, laundry piles up, and food shopping is a necessary evil. You know the drill.
But being so busy all the time leads to mental, emotional, physical and spiritual fatigue. We can’t be our best in our business if we are constantly doing, doing, doing.
For instance, one weekend we spent the day Sunday at the Delaware Water Gap. There are lovely sites to see here, including some stunning waterfalls. I happily spent the day snapping photos, hiking to the top of the waterfall (ouch!), and puttering around Peter’s Valley Craft Store. I didn’t think about business once.
When I came into the office this morning, my head was clear, my senses calm, and my creativity soaring. I got more done this morning than I could have gotten done in TWO days if I hadn’t taken Sunday as a rest day.
Many people think they can’t afford to take time off. Trust me: one day away from the computer, the phone, the house, the office will gain you far more than the time you took off.
Play hookey…take a day off and do something fun, inspiring, delightful!
What do you do to take time off?
I heartily agree. I take off regular “adventure” days each month and go off by myself or with a friend. I also take off two weeks in August. I wrote a post on how I do this, since so many self-employed people aren’t sure how to financially pull off taking a lot of time off. If it’s helpful to people, the post is here: http://www.womenearning.com/blog/how-to-take-time-off-and-not-be-stressed-out-financially
A little time off every weekend sounds terrific. Planning for a month long vacation is appealing, too. But what about grabbing a little enjoyment each and every day as it unfolds, regardless of how busy we are? Simple pleasures count. I like to cook, so dinner is always relaxing. No canned, frozen, or “instant” meals in this household. My wife, Deborah is a knitter, who works her craft for a few minutes, virtually every night, although she puts a tremendous number of hours into her online book business, every day. Movies work! We unplugged our commercial TV over a decade ago, but we’re both avid film buffs, and DVD collectors, who enjoy an evening “out” at the movies, frequently. With books to read, and music in abundance, close by, there can always be life after work, even for a few minutes, even at the end of a tiring day. As I coach my clients, special treats are vitally important in life, but none so valuable as living in the moment to take full advantage of as many as possible.
Great ideas, Bruce. We try to get out into nature several afternoons a week, especially around that 3:00 PM time when our brains are rebelling at having to think another thought. An hour’s walk by the canal or in the woods and we’re relaxed and refreshed. We love old movies, especially those lavish musicals from the 30s and 40s. Nothing like watching Fred and Ginger dance to swing music to get your mood elevated!
Amen to that! I’ve spent the last decade encouraging employees and the self-employed to balance off that press for performance with pauses for renewal. It makes a huge difference in mental and physical health and productivity, too. The pauseworks website (http://www.pauseworks.com) is designed to help people get the message and do something about it. Feel free to pass along the link if you think your clients will benefit.
Warm regards,
Pat Katz
http://www.patkatz.com