Have you ever taken some unannounced time off? Not too long ago, I did.
I didn’t send a newsletter. I didn’t write a thing. I took a weeklong “staycation” and decompressed.
Now that didn’t mean I didn’t do any coaching calls. I took all of them. I did the bare minimum of what I needed to do, because that is what I wanted to do. I wanted some downtime…so I took it.
I normally have lot going on. I always do. Even though my definition of “a lot” has altered over the years. I don’t commit to nearly as much as I did even a year ago.
Part of being productive isn’t doing things all the time or doing all the things. It’s doing the right things – and doing them at the right time whenever possible. And the right thing for me was to take some time off without much of a warning.
“For fast acting relief, try slowing down.” ― Lily Tomlin
Life isn’t a race. We surely aren’t trying to see who gets to the end first. It’s not even something you can really “win” either.
The thing about life is that it goes by so fast that you can end up counting the moments instead of living them. You really understand this once you have children. They develop each and every day. Some of us get to see more of this development – either by choice or by default. Others may only get glimpses of it – also by choice or by default.
I miss moments with my children because I have spent my time in other moments…and that’s okay. The fact I’m aware of this – and that I make sure that I spend my time wisely on both sides of the equation – makes it okay. I’ve put measures and systems in place to assure that how I spend my time counts.
Downtime is the key to achieving that awareness. It improves that sense of understanding and knowing. That’s why you need downtime too– so you can be better during your “uptime” periods.
