Work/rest balance.
Why do so few of us do this so poorly? Somewhere between languishing for hours with Legos and our high school prom, we entered a world of accomplishment.
Many of us cannot go to bed without feeling like we DID a zillion things that day. We aren’t satisfied with BEING, we must be DOING.
Effort = good
Accomplishment = VERY GOOD
Relaxation = wasteful
Nap = wouldn’t-be-caught-dead lazy
Vacation = well, I “used” to, but now I don’t feel I can spare the time
Lengthy Vacation = how would ‘they’ get along without me?
What about a new equation?
Effort + Relaxation & Recharge = EXCEPTIONAL PRODUCTIVITY and PERFORMANCE
Energy experts say that a 20-minute nap can be electrifying to our productivity and creativity. Taking 15-minute breaks every 90 minutes and a nice 45-minute lunch, will add up to more productivity, overall, than the guy who works his tail off, never leaving his desk, but works at about 80% capacity because he’s, basically, burned out.
So, when you look at things THAT way, what’s so LAME about that nap or that lunch with a good friend??? And, interestingly, our focus is still on productivity, in the end. We just nap/rest/recharge effectively in order to accomplish effectively.
Funny, we don’t really end up rethinking our need to DO, we just DO more effectively.
IF you believe the experts, like Tony Schwartz of The Energy Project. He says that antidote to living in the Survival Zone, is to intentionally spend time in the Renewal Zone. Still skeptical? How about you try your own “study.”
Hypothesis:
If you make a significant life change to add relaxation and refreshment to your schedule, you will feel a noticeable increase in creativity, productivity, positive energy and emotion.
To do the test, choose your own “lifestyle change”:
Take a minimum 30-minute walk each night after dinner, preferably with a friend (furry or not)
Take up a new hobby, sport or activity. Grow a new talent. Do the thing “you always wanted to do” – finally.
Take a meaningful/substantial (more than you are used to) vacation – preferably with friends or family. Wire free – if you can stand it – but, certainly, WORK FREE.
Sit back, relax and enjoy a movie, play or sports event, fully engaged, regularly.
Allow yourself to take a 20 to 30-minute power nap.
Set a timer on dinner. Don’t let anyone leave the table for 60 full minutes of conversation, laughs and stories.
Find one day each month to ‘cut out early’ for golf, tennis, fishing, or a day at the beach.
Leave your phone at home during a family outing and be fully engaged one day each weekend.
Test the hypothesis, and judge for yourself one week later, one month later, one year later.
1. Do you feel better balanced, emotionally and mentally?
2. Do you feel less conflicted because you have actually lived your value for family and friends rather than just given it “lip service”?
3. Have you realized that accomplishments will always be there, but young children, friends and family will not?
4. Have you noticed a difference in the quality of your conversations and relationships?
And now, rate your productivity. How do you feel about that?
5. Are you finding that you are actually MORE energized for your work when you re-enter?
6. Do you feel a sense of increased focus, efficiency with your time and more creative juices flowing?
Try it for yourself. Be ALL IN at work or at school, BUT ALL OUT when you relax. Actually RECHARGE YOUR BATTERIES.
See if you FEEL a different.
And, if new hobbies or long dinners aren’t your thing, SIMPLY try to move more during your work day, get up from studying or working, take regular mental and physical breaks and see if your “study sez” you feel higher performance.
The new formula for success: Effort + Relaxation and Recharge = EXCEPTIONAL PRODUCTIVITY and PERFORMANCE
http://theenergyproject.com/blog/what-i-learned-on-my-vacation