How to Make “Time Off” A Reality
Taking time off is an important part of holistic self-care and well-being. Here in the U.S., spring has sprung and summer is approaching … a common time for long weekends with family and friends, days at the beach, boating, camping, hiking, gardening, barbeques, and just kickin’ back for some rest and relaxation!
Sound refreshing and inviting? Comforting and balancing? Or does it create a feeling of inner confusion and anxiety … wanting to take time off but fearing that there will be a high price to pay?
When was the last time YOU took an honest vacation? When was the last time you truly “unplugged” from the daily grind and felt renewed, refreshed, and invigorated?
Imagine YOU … not working … and not even thinking about work. Your energy is instead fully available for other things. It might be an hour, a weekend, a week, or a full month! Either way, it’s precious and delightful time OFF!
Have YOU taken time off yet this year? Do you have plans for time off in the coming months? It’s not too late (or too early) to start planning for and scheduling this time on your calendar. Why not take this opportunity to sit down with your calendar now, decide on, and then DO whatever needs to be done to support YOU having some time off?
Notice: What’s coming up for you? Are you hearing yourself say, for example:
- “When I’m done with this project then maybe I’ll look at my calendar.”
- “I don’t have time, with my family commitments and all…”
- “I haven’t worked hard enough to really deserve time off.”
- “There’s no money in the budget for a vacation.”
- “Time off will only set me back and create more work.”
- “I would love to but … (fill in the blank).”
Let me say … I am in no way suggesting that you re-mortgage your house or plunk down the credit cards to go on an extravagant vacation. Yet here’s the risk of letting these thoughts stop you from saying “YES” to time off altogether …
It’s exactly these kinds of thought patterns of undeservedness or “someday” or “later” thinking, that can lead to a sense of martyrdom, to feeling unappreciated, to setting yourself up for burn out and neglecting your need for R&R can even have an adverse effect on your health and well-being.
We *all* need time off! And, truth is, taking time off allows us to be much more productive and engaged during our time on!
Time off is about shifting gears to support your holistic well-being. Time off is a KEY piece to creating true Success Synergy: a balance of working AND not working. It is an investment in well-being, and the alternative is, frankly, unsustainable.
If you DON’T give yourself time to re-charge, your body will eventually demand it but – but don’t wait for that. Rather, honors this need and allow *space* in your mind, in your heart, and in your LIFE for what nourishes you. Do what you need to do to prioritze and support of your own self-care. If you don’t, who will?
Even if you don’t know yet how or where you’re going to spend your time off … it’s important to carve out that time.
With planning, things can still be in motion when you are off with tasks scheduled ahead of time, or delegated, for example. It all starts with putting your desired time off on your calendar. And from there, figuring out what needs to be done, and by when, to support you not working, both physically and energetically.
There are no rules about distance, duration, or cost. And frankly, an extravagant vacation doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll feel more rejuvenated. So, make it your own. Time off can be as simple as YOU, a magazine or a good book, and a lawn chair. It’s about carving out “you time” – time dedicated to NOT working and NOT thinking about work. Claim it and make it yours! Enjoy!
Go The Extra Step:
Do you feel you need both “time off” AND more efficient, effective, joyful “time on”? Does your current definition of “time off” need to be clarified or fine-tuned to support a real sense of rejuvenation for you? Do you want your “time on” to feel truly satisfying and aligned for you? Ready to STOP trying to do it all by yourself? Answer Tara’s 6 Dream Igniting Questions and we’ll schedule you for a complimentary tele-coaching session, exploring together how we can best support YOU in accelerating your own inspired, joyful journey. You’ll be amazed what can happen in just one call!
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