Out of Time

As an entreprenuer, there is always something to do: reaching out to new potential clients by creating new programs and videos, updating your website, keeping up with all of the opportunities on social media to connect to new people, actually doing the service or creating the product that your service provides—the list is never-ending.

And it’s not just us entrepreneurs who are busy–my buddies in the corportate world are constantly responding to work demands in this ever more technologically connected world.

We are all busy bees, buzzing from flower to flower to collect that nectar and bring it back to the hive to make honey. And it can be exhausting and lead to burnout, especially if results fall short of hopes and expectations.

Author Tony Schwartz wrote an article featured in the Week in Review section of the New York Times recently titled “Relax! You’ll be More Productive”. He cites several changes that we could make to become more productive, and more importantly, enhance our overall well-being. I’ve added my own twists to his ideas:

• Start the day with some type of practice to set a centered tone for the day—stillness, meditation, physical workout, journal writing, inspirational reading.
• Take frequent breaks. Focused work in 90 minute segments, followed by a break of any kind to switch gears for rejuvenation, renewal and refresh.

• Take the time to step away from your desk and mindfully eat lunch each day.
• Leaders: support company policy to put boundaries on email and messaging responses expected after the work day so employees can have a life outside of work and therefore be willing to show up the next day and contribute.
• Give your body and mind needed rest with regular night sleep and long naps. Researchers are discovering more and more processes that happen when we sleep soundly that increase our health and longeivity.
• Use the vacation time given to you to truly get away to recharge.

His point that time and energy are finite is a great reminder. By making these changes, we can enhance our level and quality of energy to live a more enjoyable, sustainable life both personally and professionally.