Taking a Break Could Be the Key to Your Success—And How to Do It Right
Photo by Dawid Zawiła on Unsplash
Can you believe we are almost halfway through the year 2024?
As a former school teacher, I always associate this time of year with a reset. Even though I only taught for five years, my internal clock still craves a break and the creativity that summer brings. I get a little antsy and yearn for a different routine. Mother Nature got it right: each season allows the planet to naturally move through growth, death, and rebirth, starting the cycle anew. However, our constant access to technology makes us forget the seasons of our lives, trapping us in an endless loop of work and availability. No wonder we feel tired and exhausted.
The number one challenge my clients face is finding balance in their lives. This is especially true for solo practitioners in any industry. These individuals wear all the hats and are responsible for executing the numerous tasks that keep their businesses running.
They often find themselves stuck in the "doing" of the business and feel frustrated when there is no progress. My suggestion to these clients is to pause and become curious about what results are actually being produced. What goals do they want to achieve, and can they get there with their current approach? To answer these questions, they need to step away from their daily routines and seek clarity.
We often talk about creating a vision or setting goals at the beginning of the year. However, if we don't periodically stop to observe, evaluate, and assess our progress, we are likely to veer off track. Then, we work harder to get back on course, missing the opportunity to capitalize on what’s working and build on it. If we pay attention, course corrections are easier and more fluid. So, why don’t we take the time off to check ourselves, strategize, and recommit? In my experience, both personally and as a coach, it’s because we tend to judge our worth based on how much we can accomplish. What we don’t realize is that we can be more productive, efficient, and effective with a big-picture perspective.
Coaching is a powerful tool to help us achieve awareness of what drives our motivation, what’s important to us, and what behaviors align with our desired experience. All athletes have a coach who creates an overall game plan, encourages them along the way, and adjusts the plan as needed. We usually see athletes during game time, which is just a few hours at a time. Consider all the planning, visualizing, and strategizing that happens during the other hours.
In your career or life, are you taking the time to dream? Do you think you'll get to it when you have more time? Will the wheels really fall off the bus if you take some time to reset? If this is the case, unfortunately, your current way of operating is not sustainable. When we step away from technology, enjoy nature, and embrace quiet, we tap into our creative energy. This is where extraordinary ideas and joy reside. You won’t miss a thing in the real world while taking this time, I promise.
I challenge you to take a day or half a day to turn off your phone, TV, and computer. Give yourself some unplugged time and see what emerges. Resist the urge to figure out how to make it happen—that’s for another day. I believe in you and your dreams!
Dream on,
Fundamental of the Week #6: CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT
Both physical and emotional safety are important. Safety means it's okay to speak up or try new ideas without fear of blame; Innovation thrives in a safe environment.
Momentum Consulting offers executive business coaching, top-level executive consulting, team training, and team off-sites to build and transform your business to the next level. Inquire about business consulting and leadership coaching today.
