You Deserve a Break
January 21st, 2008Sometimes I find myself working on a number of projects at the same time without realizing I am overworking myself mentally and physically. I am sure most people have found themselves in a similar predicament at times without realizing there is a problem until it’s too late. When you get to that point where you are mentally and physically exhausted from trying to do too much too often, you have no choice but to take some time out. The problem I find when I am forced into taking a sabbatical from my projects is it is sometimes hard to find the momentum to get back on track and performing at an optimum pace after a forced break.
The best way I find to avoid losing momentum on any of my projects is to schedule in adequate rest and relaxation regularly, in fact very regularly. The more you work, the more you need to rest. It is a simple equation and you cannot continue to prosper without enough rest, both mentally and physically. Not getting enough of a break from your working life is very much like not getting enough sleep, eventually you just need to catch up.
No matter how busy your schedule may be, you need to organize your time in such a way that you allow yourself some regular time out or over time your productivity will wane. We all know, well most of us do, that without regular exercise our health will deteriorate. The same thing goes in our working life or when we are trying to achieve our goals, taking a break is not only healthy, it is imperative.
A good rule of thumb I find is to even out every hour of work with an hour of play on a daily basis. For example, if you work for 9 hours at your job and another 3 hours working on an additional personal project, you need to offset this 12 hours of work time with the other 12 hours of rest, relaxation or sleep. On top of this it is essential to take full day breaks from working in regular doses.
Making money and achieving goals is of course very important but so is enjoying the journey along the way. It is usually when you take your mind off of the things that seem the most important in your life that you gain the greatest snippets of creative insight as to what is your best move to take in relation to achieving the things you desire.
The author Robert Louis Stevenson was known to walk away during the process of writing a particular novel for periods of time to simply let his mind wander and take a break. This, he said, allowed him to clear his mind and refocus on where his new story should lead. Some of his novels are still classic stories to this day.
You do not need to get to the point of exhaustion before you take some time out, instead do yourself a favor and schedule is some down time every single day. The more you work, the more you deserve a break.
If you find this site helpful, please leave a donation for John
Other Related Posts:-
January 25th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Yup! This is very useful.
I realize when I work long enough, my effectiveness will drop. When I go out for some fresh air and exercise, new ideas come in and I do things more effectively.
Take a break and enjoy!
Alex Liu