Make Time For YOU

I’m often introduced to an advisor who claims to be so busy that he or she can’t find time in their day to relax.

A while ago, I received this email from an advisor:

Hey Sandy.

Maybe you can do an article on finding time for yourself and the people you love.

I don’t have time to even take one day off! I need an 8-day week for that. I am feeling very stressed and my patience is stretched to the limit, which I know is affecting the quality of my work.

I know I’m not the only one who feels that way…

Annette

The “time” issue is one that comes up often in my work. But it’s largely a “made-up” issue.

If you, like Annette, think that you have no time for anything, ponder this:

What if you needed to take one day off each week to spend time with a sick family member or friend in the hospital. Would you be able to do your work the rest of the week and still take that day?

Most people say they’d find a way and that yes, if forced to, they could do it. Which leads me to three observations:

(1) It’s not?impossibility?that keeps us from taking a day off to recharge our batteries; it’s a?choice?we’re making. And most of us make the wrong choice.

(2) Advisors who are working round the clock are probably facing distractions and time management issues that can make their days longer than they need to be. Blocking out an ideal schedule, taking steps to limit distractions, and other time and activity management tools are missing.

(3) Often their time issue involves being afraid to invest in the help they need, or properly delegating. Is that true for you?

Our best ideas come from slowing down and taking time to think. Our greatest bursts of energy and productivity come after we’ve taken some time away from what we end up calling the daily “grind.” It shouldn’t be a grind; it should be a joy—and one of the reasons it’s not, is that we don’t step away from it enough.

If you want to try something on your own, commit to shutting down work for a half-day a week to do whatever you like. Don’t answer your calls–make some alternate arrangement.

It may seem counter-intuitive, but you’ll eventually start making more money taking time off than you do working around the clock.

You don’t need extra hours or days, you need to make the decision to take time for yourself, manage your work better, and invest in the help you need.

One element of that investment can be in a business coach who understands your life. I can help you bring the fun back into your work--and your life--if you arrange a time to talk with me .

In the meantime,?keep?REACHING…