Taking part of the weekend to relax and reflect may just get you on top of your A+ game before a major event or busy week

Taking part of the weekend to relax and reflect may just get you on top of your A+ game before a major event or busy week

Iralma P. Iralma P.

Iralma P.

"The Duchess of Accounting" | Thought Leader | Technologist | Tax Strategist | Toolbox Powerhouse | Author | Educator | Mentor

发布日期: 2018年8月12日
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Studies have shown that breaks lead to breakthroughs. Do you take a brief break before a major event or busy week? Afterwards? At all? What did you do for your wellness and relaxation this weekend?

Marathon training schedules I followed when I ran the NYC Marathon seven consecutive years always noted rest the days before the race. I would take a break at least two days before and the day after each marathon. Running in itself was a break to me and I felt great after first thirty minutes. When I took the CPA review course, one of the instructors suggested we stop studying a few days before we were to take the parts and go to the movies or something. I’m under 40 but took the CPA exam on paper and at the piers. I am glad I followed his advice and was “relaxed” when went to take the test. I may have pushed the envelope a little bit and actually taken a brief nap during one part because I used to be a fast test taker and wanted to boost my energy to finish a part.

Taking a break before a major event or busy week can help you relax, and prepare you to perform better. Being well rested and focused will help you deliver results that exceed expectations, be productive, increase revenue, boost your mood, etc. As a CPA I have worn many hats and have witnessed people who are too wired and tired to be successful or productive, who are too busy thinking about their pasts and problems to realize how talented and amazing they are. I have my own burnout stories, but that’s a story for another day. Pun intended. Sometimes people forget there is more to their career and life than their job and don’t have any time to take care of themselves or energy to interact with other. People have to be very intentional about taking breaks, etc. to ensure they are engaging in activities that are adding value to their organizations and to their lives. If we get drained, we become counterproductive, if productive at all and will not make much progress, profits, or impact.

I have a busy week coming up and decided to take a “break” for part of this weekend to relax and reflect. I am a type A energetic empathetic introvert, hence why I say “break.”

Some of the things I did during my “break” were to:

  • Download a serenity prayer pic and saved it as my new lock screen on my cellphone
  • Read the September issue of Oprah magazine while listening to part of Drake’s Scorpion album
  • Watch the She-Wolf of Wall street episode of Pink Color Crimes
  • Watch Amy Schumer’s I Feel Pretty movie
  • Draft an article
  • Watch part of the Dominican Day parade live streamed on YouTube
  • Go for a long walk
  • Color a page in one the adult coloring books while watching part of the PGA tour
  • Start rereading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Reflecting on these things reminded me to:

  • Get comfortable with being uncomfortable, being out of my comfort zone, experiencing new things, etc.
  • Be present in the moment and take each day at a time
  • Accept what I cannot change, have the courage to change the things I can and not only know the difference but also accept the difference
  • Buy new headphones so I can listen to my broad choice of music in public
  • Remind myself of what I bring to the table and not be afraid to leave the good for the great and walk away from bs
  •  Continue to teach young people to be ethical and to not rationalize doing the wrong thing
  • Get a daily dose of laughter and walking in because both are some of the best medicines; when I was in my 20's I would watch cartoon and sitcom reruns before bed and take long walks multiple times a week and felt great
  • Stick to my scheduled workouts for the upcoming week
  • Remember that it is how I view myself and how confident I am is what matters, and not to let people’s biases, toxic behavior, or opinions affect me
  • Speak up when people say hurtful things to others in my presence; watching this odd movie and wishing I had picked something that was actually funny that didn’t mock things that people suffer about such as eating disorders and self-image
  • Continue to view barriers and challenges not as painful situations, but as lessons to be used as to build steps that will serve as a launchpad to propel me in my journey
  • Listen and observe more and talk less; part of being wise is knowing when to talk and what to say
  • Raise my empathy wall a little higher, and not put myself in the shoes of people who aren’t part of my journey all the time; energy and time are not always required
  • Remember where I came from, stay true to my roots and be grateful that I come from humble rough beginnings
  • Be grateful my parents taught me manners, generosity, kindness, humility and integrity; and also not to hold grudges or live in fear of failure
  • Become successful and committed to leave a legacy for my family, our youth, our future and other causes that are important to me
  • Be authentic, mindful, kind, friendly, etc. at all times and don’t let anyone steal my joy
  • Schedule some more “breaks”; I am Type A and schedule everything; self-awareness is real
  • Consider that life truly does begin at 40 and time flies; can’t wait for the perfect time to do anything and have to live life to the fullest every moment
  • Relax and not take things too seriously


This week, be intentional about and hold yourself accountable for taking breaks throughout your busy week by:

  • Taking a 15-20 minute walk after you eat lunch
  • Having a walking meeting with a colleague
  • Taking a 15-20 minute walk when you leave work
  • Stopping by a colleague's workstation or calling a loved one to talk for 5 to 10 minutes before starting a complex task
  • Taking 5 minutes to sit quietly and visualize the task at hand going well
  • Bringing some healthy snacks to work, along with some candy and take 5 minutes to eat them uninterrupted
  • Watching silly funny videos for 5-10 minutes
  • Hearing music that will get you energized before any stressful meeting
  • Taking 5-15 minutes to help someone else or volunteering for a hour; helping others is such an energy booster
  • Going for a long walk

Below are some quotes I came across or that came to mind, etc.:

  • The time to relax is when you don’t have any. ~ Sydney Harris
  • One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served. ~Gordon Hinckle
  • Life is a marathon, not a sprint.
  • Business is a sprint until you find an opportunity, then it's the patience of a marathon runner. ~Robert Herjavec
  • Seven photo albums of my paychecks from the last five years. When I get sad and frustrated, I go through them to remind myself of the journey I’ve been on. I have checks for $5, and I have checks for $100,000! It’s a chart of my growth. ~Tiffany Haddish, September issue of Oprah Magazine [best collection question]
  • No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. ~Eleanor Roosevelt
  • Don’t Make Assumptions. Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life. ~Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements
  • There is only one way to learn. It's through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey. ~ Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
  • The point is not to pay back kindness but to pass it on. ~Julia Alvarez
  • I try to find a reason to laugh each day. Somehow, if you can incorporate laughter into your day, every day, it really helps. It's the little things in life that make me happy. ~Faith Hill
  • How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours. ~Wayne Dyer
  • What gifts have you to offer? What was your reason for coming? What I know for sure: The answers keep unfolding as your life expands, if you’re willing to see things for what they are-and what they can be. ~Oprah, September issue of Oprah Magazine

Below are some articles for further reading:

About me

I am an independent consultant who is building a practice to bring my financial acumen to companies that focus on a variety of segments that merge my personal passion and professional expertise. These areas include Culture and the Arts, Health and Wellness, etc. Through effective consulting and advisory, I help companies run more efficiently and use technology and innovation to build wellness on an individual and global level. I educate college students, business leaders and individuals on how to think as leaders, adapt to change, collaborate and innovate to be successful and well balanced in all areas of their careers and personal lives. I also teach them how to have a good foundation in accounting so that they can meet their goals and realize their dreams.


Consultant|Facilitator|Leader|Advisor|Educator|Motivator

Empowering businesses and individuals

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