Things you should do for yourself over the week-end – Photo credit: blackhairmedia.com
Happy Labor Day everyone!
Hope everyone is having a great Labor Day long week-end (frankly, isn’t Monday the best day to have off…). And as you’re enjoying this long week-end doing the things you love, spending time with family and friends, or simply relaxing with your favorite book by the poolside, have you also wondered about those activities or pastimes that have the greatest impact on your success and career? Could it be that even as you’re having some downtime and basking in some good ol’ fun and leisure, you’re actually helping your career and success along?
- Are you being present when spending time with friends and family? A long week-end gives us the opportunity to schedule that extra time with friends and family, away from work or household distractions. Yet in our generation of chronic multi-tasking and smarter-than-you smartphones, the issue is less about the amount of time we have as much as how we choose to spend it. Are you choosing to make the most of your interactions with friends and family by actually being present, both mentally and physically? Or are you switching back and forth between social media and your company, not giving either your full attention, instead depleting yourself of much needed focus and inspiration? You may think it’s not a big deal, yet may be unconsciously forming a new habit that will transfer into your work life and negatively impact your success...
- Are you committing to have some “uncommitted” time? In the midst of family cookouts, picking up the dry cleaning, and getting through this book you’ve been putting off for a while, week-ends hardly feee like the beginning of work all over again. Every single minute is committed to some activity, and even leisure time is scheduled. As a result, we’re running from one activity to another, hardly enjoying ourselves because planning our week-ends leaves us wanting to get back to…work. How about planning to have some unplanned time? How about taking the (earth-shattering) decision to purposely have unscheduled blocks of time? Too scary…well, maybe start with sitting down somewhere for a few minutes and see how (good) it feels…
- And if you MUST schedule something, let it be one thing you love! The point of time off is to be off, truly off, that is! It is so we can take the necessary time to refuel our body, mind and spirit, first and foremost for ourselves. If you must commit to scheduling some time during your long week-end (other than the usual or emergency stuff), let it be your favorite kickboxing class, some time to finish that great novel or your next quilting masterpiece (yes, quilting can be relaxing)…
And after all this rambling, I’m off to sharing some uncommitted time with my couch (don’t judge me)…
Happy labor Day everyone!
The Corporate Sis.
