The Power of Intentional Rest

Last week, I was on vacation in St Lucia and I actually rested and relaxed.

(I know hard to believe - if you know me!)

But being on the beach and taking each day without an agenda felt different this time.

I knew I needed it.

Because along with many others, I have spent a lot of the last few months following trends to find opportunities, researching and building a new exit program, updating my startup program, getting back to networking and helping clients put out fires and write grants.

It's been exhausting.

The thing is that exhaustion won't get your further ahead. Contrary to popular opinion, it doesn't come with a badge of honour. You start to close the doors to creativity and productivity when you're tired (and burning out).

Although it is delightful, you don't necessarily have to fly away somewhere tropical. Here are a few things you can do: they have everything to do with being intentional against the chaos of exhaustion:

1. Schedule break times in each week for R&R.
2. Put your phone on airplane mode or do not disturb for a few hours to give yourself a break from notifications. It helps to make work periods more efficient.
3. Set boundaries with yourself and your clients for when you will be responding to them.
4. We do need to stay fed and hydrated to be more efficient.

When I got back from vacation, momentum started happening. I felt inspired, motivated, productive. And opportunities started showing up.

Take rest. You deserve it.