Give Me A Break!

Originally Posted Monday, September 12, 2011 at 1:16pm

 Today is my first day “officially back” from a greatly needed and overdue “time -out” for rest and restoration.  I often speak of and teach the importance of  self-care, and in the past have regularly practiced taking time out to do so on a quarterly basis.  However in recent months I’ve failed to be as diligent in doing so, rationalizing in my mind that because I’m not in the office everyday, I’m not working as much and I really don’t need a break as often.  WHO was I fooling???   Do you know that anytime you are responsible for ANYTHING, and especially EVERYTHING, you are ALWAYS working, even if your body doesn’t have to “show up for duty”?

I think it no coincidence that I came across the following e-mail from Life Coach, Valorie Burton, while going through my inbox this morning– a reminder to PLAN my next quarterly break NOW. 

I’ve even been thinking about creating a “Play Break” Retreat to share with others in the near future.  Would you like to play with me?     If so, please e-mail me at ME@TalktoMsE.com and I will send you a questionnaire for your input in preparation. 

 In the meantime, read the following by Valorie Burton and stay tuned for a more extensive blog on “R Steps to Self Care” by “ME”! 

“Do you need a break? Many of us do, but the real question is, “Will you take time for

one?”  Those of us alive today are living at a faster pace than any

human beings who’ve ever walked the planet.  Advertisers tell us

our tech gadgets will save us time, but as quickly as we “save” time, we raise

expectations about how much we can accomplish with the time we have left.

It’s like being on a treadmill and slowly but consistently increasing the

speed.  Sure, you’re running faster.  You’re getting

it done.  But at some point, you just want to get off the darn

treadmill.  Here are a few signs, it’s time to take a break.

1.   You are busy, but not productive.

You know what I’m talking about.  You’re doing stuff, just not the most important

stuff.  You’re moving, but not progressing.  If that’s

you, take a break.  Refocus.  Restart.

2.   You are irritable, even when nothing particularly stressful is happening.

If your attitude at work is always sour no matter what, there’s something simmering beneath the

surface.  Anger – including the quiet, passive-aggressive type – is

usually a sign that a boundary has been crossed.  Resentment

emerges when we don’t speak up, ask for help or make change.

3.    You just accomplished a big goal.

Research shows that our energy is depleted after the accomplishment of a big goal.  We are more

effective at future goals when we give our minds and bodies a chance to recover

so that our energy is replenished for the next big task at hand.

Just finished a major project? Celebrate.  Relax.

Rejuvenate.  Then move on to the next big thing.

4.  Your body hurts.

Your body will give you warning signs.  Don’t ignore them.  Chronic back or neck pain,

headaches, and fatigue are just a few of the ways your body is trying to talk to

you.  Listen..  If you don’t, there could be

consequences soon.

5.    You’re dreaming about work.

If you are dreaming about projects, deadlines and that pesky co-worker, it’s a definite sign that some

down time is overdue.

6.      You haven’t had a break in awhile.

Even if you don’t have any of the five signs that came before this one, you still need regular breaks.

If you haven’t taken one recently, get busy! Or rather, do the

opposite.  Ten minutes every couple of hours a day of down time

every week, and a vacation or personal days for fun time every few months will

make you far more productive than working nonstop.  And you’ll be

happier, too.

My challenge to you this  week:

Give yourself a break.  Schedule it  right now.

Journaling  assignment:

What keeps you from slowing down?  What is within your control to change?  What will you do to remind yourself to take a regular break?

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