Are You Forgetting Something This Fall?
By Sandy Schroeder
As autumn arrives, it’s still possible to take a break before the season takes over. Finding time to actually pause could be the difference between launching a strong, healthy season, or just struggling ahead.
Google employee Rachel O’Meara found herself caught up in the familiar circle of work demands and worries. On the weekends when she went out with friends, she found herself worrying about her performance on the job. Finally, to avoid going into a total spin, she took time off and really figured everything out.
During that time off she wrote Pause: Harnessing the Life-Changing Power of Giving Yourself a Break, which is now featured in the Color of Money Book Club.
Key Questions to Ask Yourself
O’Meara tells us why we may need to make a major shift in our attitude, and emotions. She suggests asking key questions:
- What is working for you right now?
- Are your relationships, finances and productivity working the way you want them to
- What’s next on your agenda
The way we use time can make the difference in the quality of our work, our relationships, and our overall progress in life.
Learning how to pause to refuel can be a big part of that attitude shift.
Most of us believe in getting the job done, and staying in the groove, but achieving a balance between work and time off is equally important. When the daily job takes over, it’s easy to lose sight of the overall picture.
Thinking clearly, seeing the future, and creating fresh ideas get a big boost when we step back and take time to put everything in its place.
The Washington Post reported research showing only half of the people with paid vacations actually took time off, and when they did, many of them worked through vacations staying on email and phones.
Learning How to Pause
You may or may not have paid vacation, but with a little planning you can carve out some spots to get away.
- Keep weekends open
- Come in early and take an afternoon off
- Develop a walk or workout time after the day is over to let go of tension
- Start the day with meditation or a brisk walk
- Review your schedule and build in breaks to breathe throughout the day.
Making the most of work without getting lost in the demands is possible at any time. We just have to be willing to monitor our efforts and continue to self-correct to make the best effort.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Dacula, Ga.