I’ve been reading The 4 Disciplines of Execution, and although it is related to business and strategy, one of the underlying lessons from the book got my attention and I consider it applicable to everyday life.
The book emphasizes having a balance of completing daily tasks and giving time to achieve goals. Both of those tasks compete relentlessly for time, resources, energy and attention. We get so caught up in the whirlwind of living that we forget to give ourselves time to grow and improve.
You may have heard of the expression, “Fish discover water last”. That expression pretty much states that we cannot see what is around us if we do not step out of what we are constantly doing for a little while. I am currently taking my “time off”, which is why I want to share with you a few things on what I have learned so far:
Gives Time For Reflection. Sometimes the trick to improving yourself is by giving yourself time to reflect. You get so caught up in doing things a certain way which is not necessarily the best way. Taking a step back and giving yourself time to analyze situations can help you live a better life as you start to look at things from different perspectives.
Makes You A Happier Person. Working for months or years without taking a break can actually have detrimental effects on your well being. You may be doing many things, but it still feels mundane. Have you ever had that feeling where you looked back in the past few months and didn’t feel like you have achieved much? Taking time off can help bring back the excitement in life and give you some good memories to cherish.
Enhances Creativity. Taking time off, especially without a particular agenda gives you time to think about new activities or hobbies. It may have been a favorite past time or a new found adventure, but taking time off is important to give yourself time to think about things you enjoy doing. I found myself starting this blog while taking my time off!
Helps Relieve You From Stress. It’s hard to escape stress. The world has become so connected that even your bosses can send you messages in the middle of the night. Traffic is getting heavier, responsibilities increase the older we get, and the list goes on. Learn to give yourself a break. You deserve it and it is good for your mental well being.
You Learn New Things. When you’re so used to having your life plotted in a calendar from the time you wake up until the time you sleep, you will start to feel a bit off-track when taking time off. This is actually the best time to learn something new. Learning something new will keep you slightly busy, but also enhance personal growth. Spend some time to either learn a new recipe, a new course (something unrelated to what you are currently doing), or even a new hobby. You will feel like a better person at the end of it!
Feel free to drop a comment if you have other ideas on what you learned from taking some time off. Happy to hear about your experiences!
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