When Did You Last Take a Break?
Utkarsh Narang
Scaling High Performing Teams | Speaker | Author | Coach | Humanising Leadership
“Taking a break can lead to breakthroughs.” ―?Russell Eric Dobda
Dear Friend,
I am writing this to you from the sandy beaches of Goa, India. This is my first vacation in 3 years. In the pre-Covid world, we would take two vacations in a year but Covid changed that. Another thing that changed the situation was that now both my wife and I are entrepreneurs. We are both hustling each day, each week to build, sustain and grow our businesses. As a busy working professional, trying to balance work and family, you sometimes forget the importance of self-care and of taking strategic breaks to recharge.
When was the last time you were truly awe-inspired? You had nothing to do. Nothing. No meetings, no emails, no agendas, no OTT. Just you and the sense of awe by looking at things around you, traveling to unknown places, and enjoying experiences that you had never witnessed. We are all wired to achieve higher productivity. Do more. Get more done. But sometimes, it is important?to do the right opposite. Which is to do nothing and be.
I will not dive too much into the research but there is enough data to show that a vacation will improve your heart health, reduce stress and allow you to become more mindful in life - personally and professionally. Vacations boost happiness and bring you closer to yourself and to your loved ones (with whom you vacation).?A?study released by the American Psychological Association?concluded that time off helps to reduce stress by removing people from the activities and environments that they associate with anxiety.
So no big takeaways for today... whenever you can, plan a break. Even if it is a day-long, a week-long, or more. Become strategic about your downtime - on how you recharge those batteries.?Go on vacation. Vacation days exist to be used and to make your life better. If you go on a vacation you like, you will increase your happiness, success rate, and the likelihood of promotion, and you’ll lower your stress level to boot.
Let's turn the lens towards you -?When are you going to take that much-needed break that you have been thinking about? How did the last vacation help you improve your performance??I would love to listen to you and your story - maybe even hold the space for you. I read every message that comes my way so do share.
Warmly,?
Utkarsh
领英推荐
PS - I set 60-mins of work time each day to answer critical emails and keep things rolling. I am being strategic about my vacation. :)
Guided Meditation to Find Your Light
Meditation helps you control your thoughts and emotions to live an intentional life. It is the shortest form of a break that you can take in a day. Everyday. In this easy-to-do, 10-minute meditation, I guide you to find your peace, your light, and become calm.
Affirmation for the Week
"Breathe. I am at peace. I am joy. I am whole as I am."
Women Leaders Coach | Risk, Enable, Identify-Overcome Inhibitors, Commit, Influence, Impact
2 年Giving time for myself has always been a strategic part of me consciously and subconsciously.. Rejuvenates me. I find retreats that have learning and incorporate me-time within it apart from pure getaways..
Consultant - L&D, Networker, Storyteller & Training Facilitator
2 年I give myself about 2 hours of 'me' time every morning. This is the time I spend being one with nature and rejuvenate myself. Everyone can try this as it heals you mentally, physically and spiritually.