Take a real break, leader! Your life and your work depend on it.
NEW BOOK GIVEAWAY!
20 copies available!!
Leave a comment on this guest post by Marilyn Paul, Ph.D. to become eligible for one of 20 complimentary copies of her book, An Oasis in Time: How a Day of Rest Can Save Your Life.
(Deadline for eligibility is 12/22/2019. International winners will receive electronic versions.)
Leading from fatigue is costly for everyone. It’s easy to make big mistakes.
Leaders need to step away from work entirely every week to gain the perspective and clarity needed to do their job well. Yet work grabs you at all hours. Now is the perfect time to eliminate the toxic idea that 24/7 availability increases productivity.
Initiate the essential practice of rest and renewal.
Don’t turn festivities into obligations. Instead, look for ways to celebrate the joys of the season and enjoy the company of others. Then, build an ongoing practice of rest and renewal into your upcoming year.
5 Practices for Weekly Renewal
- Learn how vital renewal time is. Running on empty not only leads to burnout and depression, but it is also a major cause of heart disease, diabetes and the biggest surprise killer—loneliness.
- Identify at least one hour each week to create a firm boundary with work. Guard this time from any distractions, especially your own work obsessions. If you get a work idea, write it down and return to your rest practice.
- Plan for joy, connection, and doing things you love. If you become distracted by your seemingly impossible to-do list, reset by focusing on your breath for one minute and remind yourself of your intention to rest and renew.
- Slow down to savor. Slow down your movements. Listen to loved ones.
- Let go of achieving to rest, reflect, and play. Don’t take any actions that are results focused.
Setting aside moments of renewal for the holidays and beyond enables replenishment.
A real break includes doing something different from the everyday: getting off screens, connecting with loved ones, and experiencing true pleasure in the present moment.
How do you take breaks?
How might leaders embrace the practice of rest?
About Marilyn
Marilyn Paul, Ph.D., is a senior consultant with Bridgeway Partners, a firm focusing on high leverage leadership and change. Her recent book is An Oasis in Time: How a Day of Rest Can Save Your Life (Rodale, 2017).
This is so important for all employees, not just leaders! Leaders can “lead” the way by taking the time for themselves and teaching their employees how important their mental and emotional health is!
Work to live, don’t live to work has been my mantra for a while…not always easy, but good reminder. At the end of your life will you think “I wish I’d spent more time at work?”
It’s validating to read not only the article but also the comments. Self-care is essential and a lot of lip service is given to it but not near enough actual time (pun intended) and energy.
Thanks Dan
in my early career, I thought that nothing would get done if I wasn’t here to do it. I would lose sleep worrying about what needed done at work and as experience and time went on I learned quickly that the work world still turns without me and the time spent on me became more valuable and proved that I was more productive when I took care of me first. An important lesson learned.
As a facilitator of training for directors and providers of early care and education, I work to create an “oasis” for them in our training sessions. Their work is to nurture others, so it is important that I start our training sessions on the importance of them taking this time to nurture themselves; that their professional development is time set aside for them to renew and recharge. We also talk and do a deep breathing/mindfulness exercise to start and end our sessions. In a recent session, during a heated discussion, one of the providers turned to me and mouthed the word, “breathing needed”. We stopped and did a “Pause for breathing” and you could feel the collective energy of the room change!
Thank you for this blog post, it is something I will share with others in our community of early care and education!
The idea of taking a break from work is very difficult to achieve. We are always pushed to do more and work longer. When you do find time to rest and get away from work, you are called, emailed, chatted, etc. You are expected to answer whether you are at work or not. Achieving the balance between work and rest is going to be a major goal for me in 2020. Thanks for the article and the tips on how to make this happen. Wish me luck.
Identify an hour of week for undistracted time? Is that nearly enough? An hour a day doesn’t seem nearly enough.
Sabbath … there is ancient wisdom in a weekly day of rest!!
Excellent advice yet very practical & doable
Very timely! I’m currently working in a 24/7 environment where 7-day-a-week activity is required. Not full days on weekends, but a couple hours Saturday and a few hours Sunday. As I work toward automating some of that, I find that the pervasive attitude in the organization considers the 7-day thing to be a badge of honor. Looking forward to learning some ways to reframe that attitude from your book. Thank you!
I’m looking for the oasis! Being a connected educator, it is easy to get lost up in it all. If I have 5 mins, I am looking on twitter or writing a blog. I am always trying to do. This blog was just what I needed and I am working on it. Computer away, phone away, and time to just be. I am also working on meditating. We just go a new puppy (which will not be relaxing so to speak) yet will force me outside to run and be in nature. Here’s to the oasis in 2020! Thanks Dan. Thanks Dr. Marylin.
Sabbath … seems there is ancient wisdom in a weekly day of rest! Divine rest for human restlessness!!
This need is embedded in the creation itself. God worked and rested on the seventh day. The idea of Sabbath is part of the very fabric of the world. Think of it as a down payment on retirement, both temporally, but even more eternally.
This is a lesson I teach to my employees. Earned leave is part of your pay and benefits. It is part of your employers plan to keep you working. So you need to save some for emergencies, and use it wisely… but use it.
This is an area in which I need help! I have to learn to stop AND turn my brain off work!
Great advice! I have trouble quieting my mind and resting.
I NEED THIS BOOK- I have a very difficult time quieting my mind- tho my body may be still. If there is something ledt on the daily list to do- i have a hard time with that- and have many times reached a disconnect.
Identify an hour a week of undistracted time? That doesn’t seem to be nearly enough. Unplugging from work an hour a day isn’t enough.
This is so timely… as I laid awake last night thinking why I can’t sleep since it’s all job related issues which I’m required to respond to 7 days awake.. why am I doing this job? Hopefully the book will provide some good wisdom on how to peel away from stress of the job.
This is always something I wonder about and how to disconnect. One way I’ve tried to learn to rest is to make it so I only take my work laptop home one weekend out of the month.
I couldn’t agree more with the importance of setting aside break time from work. In today’s world, it’s too easy to get caught up in the 24/7 on-demand work culture and lose track of what’s really important in life – health, family, etc.
I’ve made it a practice to set aside time every other day in the middle of the day for deep breathing and meditation. It doesn’t take much – 15 minutes works – but it can make a world of a difference in helping re-center my thoughts on even the busiest of days.
Thanks Dan for the reminder to rest at this holiday time that is so busy. I will use the rest to reflect on the good of the past year and think about opportunities in the next year and be grateful.
So simple to understand, yet so difficult to put into practice for many. Unfortunately, depression or burnout is often the only way to change behaviours. Perhaps this book can help to avoid going there and cultivating enough good for oneself to stay on the right track. Worth the read!
I recently had an opportunity to attend a conference and hear Dan speak. One of the things that stood out to me was, model the way. Even though, this point was regarding how to address growth areas, I believe it applies to this area as well. It is important to allow time for ourselves. I read an article that just taking a 20 minute break can decrease preschool teacher burnout by 50%. Taking time is important. If you have a chance to see Dan live, I highly recommend it!
So simple to understand and yet so difficult to put into preactice, for many. Unfortunately, depression or burnout is often what will eventually change behaviours. Perhaps this book can help avoid going there and foster good habits by making small changes that can keep oneself on the right track. Worth the read!
I like to work really hard on any given project and look forward to significant breaks in between.
I’m beginning to realize, more and more, the need for real rest. It’s what God gave His people the sabbath. However, I work for a nonprofit and my job requires me to travel and speak on many weekends. Then of course I’m busy managing employees and volunteers throughout the week. The question I wrestle with is ‘how can I set proper boundaries to ensure that I get enough rest to be able to be all there when at work?’
Especially when work can so easily reach you, setting firm boundaries for rest is essential. Nobody ever praised you at work for taking a break from it, so it is difficult to remember how important it is.
What a great topic, especially at the end of the year. Your advice to slow down and savor is especially critical as a working, traveling sales leader with 2 young kids. Thank you and best holiday wishes!!
Outstanding boo3.
I will definitely read this book.
Thanks Dan for the reminder! We all get so caught up in the rush of everyday life that we do not take the time to think about ourselves. I would love to read this book. Something I do not do enough of for myself.
Years ago I did the course on ‘7 habits of highly effective people’ by Covey (brilliant by the way, well worth thinking about). The habit that really changed my view on work and life in general, was the last one – ‘Sharpen The Saw’. Without rest we are useless (like a blunt saw). We can’t be effective leaders, learners, friends, spouses etc without mandating downtime to recharge.
This book sounds like an important read.
Taking a moment to breathe is so important, yet actually making the time to do so is beyond difficult. I would love to receive the free book to better serve myself and team. Thanks!
Perfect message as we head into the holiday break!
Such a great topic! Finding a good work/life balance is tough.
As a school principal, myself and my staff definitely need to be reminded about taking breaks and the long term advantages for productivity that often occur after a break.
Wow- so true and a great reminder for the start of the new year!!
Leadership takes a lot of out of us. We have to be mindful about putting back in or risk running out of gas.
This is a great reminder as technology has led to us being more and more available and able to just check in while on vacation or after hours! Setting the boundaries will be my 2020 resolution!
As someone who is more introverted, taking breaks is mandatory if I am going to keep my edge. I use exercise as one of my daily practices and also have learned to step away when I have an especially full day of client interaction, even if it just means going home for a lunch break.
An area where I really need some guidance and work. Thanks for sharing.
An hour a week? I need more than an hour a day to make sure I am connected to family and also to get in exercise to clear my mind.
Sometimes it is extremely difficult to take time away. You can feel like you are really holding things together, especially in times of staffing shortages. Then there is the pile of work that you have to catch up on when you return. It really can make it overwhelming. I’m lucky, however, that I have a director that encourages, almost mandates that we managers use our vacation time to recharge the batteries and it always works. To be able to come back refreshed and re-energized, is worth the slight back up in work. You feel better and are way more productive and a better manager for your staff.
Thanks, self care is vital! And when things get wild, practice gratitude!
On how I need these habits. My life is consumed with work and as much as I love it I also jave a hard time being present with my family.
Coming from an organization where I only had 3 personal days a year, and no vacation, to now having 10 days of vacation, it is hard to change the mindset, even though, it is clearly a health (mental and physical) decision! I appreciate the support of wellbeing–we need to value less the overworked 24/7 as a picture of success!
I have been practicing when I walk through my bedroom doors, I don’t look at my phone. It has really helped me wind down quickly and go to sleep. I also like the quiet hours in the early morning to focus on me and resting. I work straight through Christmas this year, but have planned a day off in early January for my birthday! Would love a book!
As a leader, allowing and disciplining yourself to take time to recharge is more than merely important, it is critical for your health and the well-being of your organization (no matter the size). True time “away” to rest, rejuvenate, and reflect can provide you a new perspective that improves your understanding, clarity and ability to lead, both yourself and your organization.
Great reminder ! no easy but if we don’t, no one will do it for us. thank you for this message
Compassion fatigue had been a part of my life. Just because you know what you need to do, does not mean you can easily do it. I have had a breathe sign on my desk for quite awhile.
Thank you! Such a wonderful reminder!
I love this idea! I left a leadership job from burnout when I was going through a health crisis and was not supported by upper leadership.
There are just not enough hours in the day to work over 40 hours, be healthy and be physically fit, spend time with family and friends and do all the chores like laundry and cleaning – let alone taking a real break to relax! I wish employees would realize the toll and stress working all these extra hours without time to do non-work related things brings on employees – especially those that don’t make enough money to hire people to do tasks like house cleaning, mowing the lawn and other day to day things that need to get done when you aren’t working!
An interesting post and valuable to enjoy life the right way!
Good practical tips to break the work routine and look at other refreshing things to keep the spirit high. We need to spend more time with the family and go on outings during the weekends and holidays [preferably twice a year, one short & one big trip] to have relaxation.
Enjoy the togetherness of family in the company of nature!
Rest when you’re weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work.” – Ralph Marston
Rest allows to recharge mentally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. Recharging your leadership cal do you a world of good. When you refresh and renew you give yourself a fresh perspective on the present and it will give you the energy needed going forward.
This is such an important habit for everyone who leads to embrace. I look forward to sharing these ideas with my managers and directors.
So true. Not only for us but for all staff. A good thing to model….but it is hard. When there is free time – I have to learn not to go to work or to work on work. Easier said than to do. I’m trying.
Breaks are much needed to be a good leader…but really hard to work in to crazy busy schedules! I always try to remind myself I will be a better leader if I can rest my mind. Thanks for the reminder of the importance of this and the tips to accomplish!
Isn’t it amazing as leaders we give this advice, but do not follow it. Physician heal thy self.
When I start to feel fatigued, my instinct often is to hold on tighter. Not always easy to unplug, especially when your expected to be accessible 24/7. Great post, and practical tips to make it happen.
it Is amazing how much more prepared and effective I feel when I actually take a day to slow down and rest.
Planning time for joy! What a great aspiration for the new year.
Thank you for this rest reminder and for the practical actions to implement. I have been sick in a mildly scary way and many around me have talked of the need for better limits for work. These are words I needed to hear today.
I think that not being intentional or fiercely protective of these “breaks” has negatively removed much needed boundaries between work and personal. The less experienced professionals have accepted this as normal with most of the workforce suffering the consequences of this imbalance as manifested in declining physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.
So much wisdom to be found in this practice, as well as increased levels of creativity, problem solving and emotional stability. The real work is to move it from the head to the heart, for it is with our heart we act. Thanks for making this a topic at this special time of a year!
Important to carve out this time into your actual calendar. Be the example to your staff and they will see the benefits and want to adopt the change as well. Sounds like this book would be a good way to use the break time. Think of the way the work environment worked before electronic communication and how simple and less demanding it was.
This is a great reminder! It is so important to take time for yourself!
This time of year is especially hard because the holidays are also the end of the fiscal year. How can you take a day off when there are targets to make? We compromise by taking smaller chunks of time — say, a 3pm movie with the kids, meeting my parents for breakfast, planning a special meal.
Joining a weekly bowling league in the summer and golf league in the winter. You’re committed to breaks and completely focused on something other than work. I look forward to it every week!
Thank you for this much needed and very timely reminder.
A great reminder! I start every day with a simple workout – usually walking, from You Tube. No cost and no excuses! It is amazing how that one little thing has helped me keep better balance throughout the busy days.
Great advise. I call it unplugging, which is something it took years for me to learn.
My husband needs this book desperately. This is a great reminder to put time aside for things you love because the work will always be there, but relationships and loved ones can suffer.
Ok, so REST seems like it has been the topic of so many conversations I’ve been having lately. People telling me I need to be aure to rest. Others telling me they need to rest. Me telling people they are creating more stress because they are stressing and working to try to rest the “right” way and are ending up more overworked than ever.
I love in under “plan” to rest it says breathe and focus on your breathing. This helps me to clear mental space to relax, think about what brings joy and create space to rest.
This book sounds like one so many of the leaders I know need to digest and not just read.
A good reminder for all. Technology has made us accessible to many, but learning to put boundaries in place and routines that allow us to take moments for renewal and rest are so important.
In a world where we are constantly on the go, a day of rest seems unattainable. I’m curious to read the strategies and ideas to keep us healthy. I know for me, as a chronic fatigue sufferer, I am always making my split decisions with a tired brain.
How might leaders embrace the practice of rest? By pacing themselves and organizing their work efforts so that they are NOT continuously overloaded. Once you find a good pace and once you control your work efforts (which could include handoffs to others or just saying no) you will have a better balance and be more rested. Now how do you do all this, I’ve found it comes with years and years of practice, failure, success and experience. Like an athlete you have to exercise your skill set to become good at it.
This is so important and can take much more effort than simply keeping your head down and continue working. Connect with loved ones and appreciate what you’re hard work has given you. We’ve found that “scheduling” time for times like this has worked well for us.
I love reading these every day! It’s a great reminder to stay on track 🙂
As a small business owner, it is extremely difficult to unplug. I have made it a priority the second half of this year to ignore work when I go home, and focus on the important things.
I am pretty good at this. When I leave work, I leave work behind. No checking work emails, etc. It does a world of good mentally and it helps keep down burnout.
If we always continue to grind, we find ourselves ground down. The saw needs to be sharp if we are to be able to “cut it”
I don’t do this well or enough!
When I started my brewery five years ago, the idea of rest was non-existent. I believed I had to work work work in order to be successful. I had the phone at the table, working 20 hour days for weeks at a time. It created habits that were toxic and unhealthy. My family suffered. My relationships suffered. Breaking those habits has been hard. As an owner/CEO there is a constant part of my brain running full speed on metrics, plans, needs/wants, and more. It feels almost like what I understand a person suffering from schizophrenia deals with – a constant entity always there that only I can see, hear, and feel. It was only after I forced myself to take my hands off every aspect of the business that I found the ability to genuinely rest. And everyone is better because of it.
Certainly, something I was terrible at and getting better at doing.
There is nothing that fills the personal “gas tank” more efficiently and quickly that being unplugged for 24 hours; spending time with family, friends and good reading material. As someone raised in a Sabbath observing home I cherish the time I get every week.
Great topic! Our lives are filled with an onslaught of urgent demands that distract us from what’s enduring and important. Without times of respite for relaxation, reflection, peace, and renewed vision, we suffocate among the proliferating “weeds” of life that can easily overwhelm our best efforts and intentions. As “tooarbie” said above, ” … there is ancient wisdom in a weekly day of rest!!”
As someone who personally struggles to get away from work this post was super timely and helpful. I would really enjoy a copy of this book! Thanks!
What a timely reminder to stop and smell the roses during this busy holiday season!
This is something that my organization and team are exploring to ensure our people aren’t running on empty. No organization or person benefits when this is the case. Would welcome this as a resource to use as we learn and grow together.
I’ve worked with the 24/7/365 availability for a long time. This grind does take it’s toll. Thanks for the advice on taking care of ourselves with this idea.
I have found that recently my work obligations are even keeping me up at night. finding time for rest is almost more stressful then just working and getting it done! my head and body tell me to rest but there is so much to do and so little time to do it in. Its the age old dilemma I suppose.
One of the hardest lessons for a leader to learn. My time…………….
Greetings,
Thank you for this post. It is very important.
I speak from experience that driving oneself too hard can hurt one’s physical health, damage relationships, and contribute to a life not worth living.
Life is so much bigger than work. We will all die one day (and we don’t know when!) and then will we care about all the work we did? It’s doubtful.
I hope others take to heart what is communicated in this post. And take action!
All good wishes,
robert
This is such a great and needed reminder. It is so easy to get so absorbed in your work that self care falls to the back burner. I notice that my stress level is much more manageable when I am consistent with exercise and getting an appropriate amount of sleep. It also helps me to be a better wife, mother, coworker and friend!
I go on a date once a week with my husband. Sometimes its just grabbing dinner and talking, sometimes dinner and a movie. Its the time I get away for myself and stop thinking about the job and what I need to do and can focus on other things.
this is a great reminder to us all to really stop, look around, and recharge. It’s so easy for us to get wrapped up in always being ‘on’ and available. But we need to shut it down once and awhile to be truly effective!
I think it is also important to disengage during lunch and I have worked hard to get up and move around during mid morning and afternoon. Those break time walks helped me reorganize everything mentally or sometimes set it all aside to return fresh.
A great reminder and something I struggle with doing.
How do you take breaks?
Just after the New Year, our Executive Director called a ‘volunteer’ meeting where She asked for a committee to be formed for the purpose of ‘Health n Wellness’. Brilliant I thought, I was the committee :~)
I created a “two minute meeting” in outlook and sent it to my colleagues. Every hour, for two minutes, you push back from your PC and breathe. I incorporated ‘chair’ stretches and a favorite quote, for inspiration. It caught on.
How might leaders embrace the practice of rest?
We simply CHOOSE to matter. We must embrace the fact: love yourself enough to matter. The work will always be there…appreciate it, be grateful for the work, and then DETACH from it. Impermanence ~♡~ breathe deep, exhale and repeat.
this is Great! such a simple exercise.
Hey I agree with the why, I just have trouble executing :/
so true Jim.
I am encouraged by your article and hope to teach myself to do this in 2020. I am in overdrive and far too busy most of the time and want to learn better strategies for slowing down, savoring the moment and focusing on joy in my life. Today I took time to read this instead of scrolling past it…it’s a start. Thank you!
What a timely reminder of something I’ve known . . . but not practiced. As a full time educator, consultant, student plus running two small businesses on the side line, I’ve likely burned bridges I’ll not be able to return to. I am dropping some responsibilities but it isn’t easy. I think I need a plan.
Excellent advice. It’s hard to take care of your team if you are burned out!
I would like to receive this book so I could share it with my colleagues to improve our culture around work-life balance.
When will I obey the third commandment to observe the Sabbath? It doesn’t make sense to expect to go very far on an empty tank. Thanks for the encouragement with this post.
Taking a break doesn’t count you a failure or incompetent rather it makes you realize you got a lot to love for.
Let your team or colleagues know how you feel. Share the process. Make everyone accountable to each creativity and workforce. Be humble and discipline if you want a positive and creative resultant effect.
Always send back feedbacks about the workdone.
I know this very much and when I live it things are great. The struggle is to live it as a leader that the team will see the example of consistent rest/breaks/meals/time.
I would love to get this book… I think the principles you mention are applicable outside of the office / workplace as well… Even in Marriage/Family Relationships..
I am a firm believer in hard work, but as the years come and go, work seems to be getting harder and harder. You would think with the implementation of various technologies, jobs would get easier; from my experience it just hasn’t happened. Years ago, when I was working full time and raising a family I was still able to find “me time” here and there. The kids are grown and these days I’m really only responsible for myself, but I feel as though I have even less time to do the things that bring me joy. I work way too many hours and survive off way too little sleep and relaxation. Thankfully, I sense a change coming. In about a month I will become a Grandma! Talk about JOY! I’m ready to take it down a notch and shift my focus toward the people in my life; especially my grandchild for if I continue at my current pace, I’ll likely not live to see her grow up. Puts my work ethic into perspective and a new goal to work toward.
A timely book, having come from working 3 jobs (i.e. 7 days a week) with a personal record of 55 consecutive days of working. While it’s nothing compared with others I know (especially those with dependents who start the next job when the other finishes), it’s not being the best example to myself and others. I echo @Matthew Levien’s comment on being the example as a leader to the team on taking care of myself to be effective on an ongoing basis.
As a very busy Pastor I am learning more and more the importance of rest! It is not only a desire, but a necessity! There is no way to function and be all that we can be for the Lord if we are weary. That is why wearing us out is one of the main tactics of the enemy to hinder our ministry. We’ve got to get in the right frame of mind and rest as much as we can and rest as we go!
I appreciate the advice of one hour a day. Finding time to rest is difficult in a life of trying to find balance and yet meet everyone’s needs in a timely fashion. My own sense of guilt makes it difficult to truly shut off my brain and I constantly feel like I should be “in the other place” whether I’m at work or home.
Like the oxygen mask on a airplane and why we place it on ourselves first, right?
Very timely as many people feel even more overwhelmed with additional commitments made at this time of year. Yes, volunteers are needed even more this time of year, and it’s very rewarding to help others (at any time of year). If we don’t stop to breath, rest, recharge we hurt everyone by hurting our health and well being. Take time for yourself and you’ll find it easier to have patience with those around you and the problematic situations that pop-up. Leaders who encourage their employees and co-workers to take their earned vacations and time off, along with showing by doing, help others see the benefits. Leaders who respect those taking time for their mental and physical health don’t reach out to those on their time off, or on their lunch break, encourage people to take care of themselves and help them realize it’s important and it’s acceptable. Thank you!
I truly need that book and a break!
Leaders can’t fill up other tanks, if their own are running on empty! Such a good reminder this time of year.
I think there is an important additional one which is TURN OFF! It is hard in our culture to truly disconnect and rest so I strongly believe that turning off our phone, internet, tv, etc for a time each week is vital for true rest. Even Jesus withdrew from the crowds!
Critical for all team members and positions to take that break away from what we all do for a living. Pick me…
In the day of constant contact and access to information, I find it a challenge to take the time to unplug. Thank you for the encouragement of the necessity of rest. I am looking for ways I can rest each day this week and we prepare for one of the biggest weekends at church.
Great advice! And a must for everyone, especially leaders and what is being modeled to those who follow. Rest, recharge and rejuvenate!
This article provides important advice which is very timely given the current concerns for people’s mental health.
This article #Goals!
This is going to be my New Years resolution, not be available 24/7 and take time during the day and step away from all the craziness at work for a few minutes.
Agree with this wholeheartedly and am curious about how we develop this as a skill – what is the skill? Is it saying No? Is it listening and noticing self? Is it protecting time in the diary? Is it learning an activity which provides an antidote to work?
I love this. I’ve recently changed my work schedule from full to part-time to create more margin. I’ve been running at more than capacity for a long time and not doing it well. I’m three weeks into my new schedule and can already feel an incredible difference in how I’m showing up with others — at work and at home. Rest is good.
A very timely post, given the holiday season when there are so many activities and anxiety-creating expectations (albeit self-imposed). It’s important to remember to slow your row and enjoy the people around you!
We’ve been talking a lot more about self care in the workplace with our members. In the field that we are in, burnout out real. We have to remind and encourage our staff to take care of themselves so they can continue to be productive for the communities we serve. I am facilitating a training on this topic at our annual conference in July.
A timely reminder. Of course we shouldn’t wait for joy, but plan time for it. Thank you!
Leaders are like fine tuned athletes…..Rest, Nutrition, & Exercise.
I have a new website near ready called Self Care Oasis so I really identify with the critical need for a soothing “oasis.” Leaders can be especially unforgiving to themselves. I think it is genius to address them specifically. I serve on the Leadership Development Ministry of my spiritual community, and that equals double trouble when supporting those who are both leading and serving! Thank you for doing the important work of uncovering our need for renewal. <3
Leadership rest is essential to a healthy workplace.
Leaders are often their harshest critics. Taking a break to renew and recharge where you spend time on yourself helps recharge and give you fresh perspective. We so often grow used to working and living under pressure and do not see the negative effects. Thank you for the break today!
Gotta put the oxygen on first before being able to be there for anyone else.
Great book offer. We have a culture issue regarding this in the USA today, I would call it a crisis here in the US. I have family in France and when I visit them I’m always amazed at the way that people in France disconnect and spend more leisure/family time than we do here in the United States. I’m sure other counties and cultures also are much better at this than we are in the USA today. On a more positive note, the company I work for allows us time to do quarterly team building and just get away from our daily work to spend more time and have fun together.
This is so important in education! We need to take care of ourselves to be able to give the best version of ourselves day in and day out!
The principle of Sabbath (taking a day of rest each week) never goes out of style. Our Creator loves us so much He designed this from the ancient time for our benefit – to be our best at work and to be our best in life!
Thank you for such a timely word! After an ER visit and medical and pastoral counsel of rest from both my ministry and business, I will make 2020 the year I incorporate rest into the rhythm of my life.
Our organization went through a lot of turnover this past year and we are working hard to support current employees with wellness while we fill positions. Sounds like I need to read this book 🙂
Compassion Fatigue, more work with less staff, encouragement to do more and be everything to everyone can be draining. I was going slowly crazy and stressed. I have been going to yoga for one hour every week and it has made a huge difference. The next morning I feel energized and refreshed, even tough I was very drained at yoga- it’s hard work-.
Wise words from Dr. Paul
I have been in the same job for ten years. I have been the most productive in the past year but have been doing less work – go figure. I have given myself permission to leave work at the end of the day, regardless of where I am at with work. It has worked wonders. I have let go of people pleasing at my own expense. Something interesting is, if I say to myself ‘this can wait’ then I actually tend to have a proper break, sleep, eat, exercise and the bam, the next day I have more ideas and solutions to problems. I’m almost always glad I didn’t rush or stay back to finish a deadline someone has imposed on me at the last minute. My self respect has grown and I am happier. Of course, every now and then there may be something urgent but this is rare! Thank you for your article 🙂
Wonderful suggestions – should be posted somewhere to visit frequently as a reminder how to take care of ourselves!
Great ideas on taking care of ourselves.
I’ll admit I’m not always making rest and restoration a priority. Focusing on sleep and having a clean room and space is what I think about when I hear rest. As a leader, I do disconnect from work by (1) I don’t check emails on Saturdays (2) if it’s non work hours I will use auto reply and out of office emails to make sure customer receive help and know that I’m unavailable for a specific time period. I find that this type of boundaries keeps me from feeling obligated to individual “emergencies” that are not urgent. When it comes to myself I do want more time to figure out what my body needs and what’s required to have a high quality of life and balanced work life. It’s been over 15 years since I’ve worked a 9-5.
Prayer works
So appropriate and timely. This time of year seems to place us in a reflective mindset as well considering how we want to show up in the coming year (even how we want to show up in the next decade!). I coach many Executives and Senior Managers who still wear the ‘badge of honour’ of being so busy that they neglect their own well being and the well being of the people around them.
Great reminder. I always believe that I can only ask of others if I am putting in the extra effort.
This is a powerful and needed concept. True rest can be an elusive thing.
Those of us in the US should take a cue from the rest of the world. I took my first vacation ever over Thanksgiving and it was a lesson indeed. I’ll be scheduling as many as possible moving forward. 🙂
I really needed to read this article. I often times struggle with work-life balance and need to be mindful of this often as well as during the holidays.
Just discussed with my boss how I need to reset the hours I spend at work. It’s a great job and I love it, but I still need to have keep the hours in check. Need to “slow down”
looking forward to learning more. It makes good sense but the “doing it” is the challenge.
thanks for the Wisdom
Makes so much sense, is very important but seldom done. Just like parenting and taking care of anything in life, you cant take care of someone or something else if you don’t take care of yourself first. Great advice, now I just need to practice it.
Taking time away to recharge is so critical, but so many of us forget or neglect. It will catch up with you in the way of bad decisions, fractured relationships or lengthy physical illness.
I absolutely agree with the overall need for disconnect and rest. I wrote a book on Stress Relief Meditation and how to incorporate silence in your everyday routine. It’s amazing how you can gain clarity with silence. Rest is the same thing. We know we need it, but tend not to take care of ourselves because our days are so busy!
It is imperative to your own mental being, the team you are leading, as well as the students you are serving to have mental clarity. I have found so much truth and value of the points in this article. It is critical for success to shut off and gain insight through a different view point and to gain an additional perspective by taking a step back on a regular basis. When leaders are found in ruts, chaos, and patterns of decisions, they are not seeing the clear, full picture. I love this article!! Thank you!
Setting boundaries are so important for leaders. Even when you are enjoying your work and love what you do, you need to take a break from time to time. Loved the practical suggestions given here and am looking forward to implementing a couple of these myself
There is always a lot of word to be done but a break is necessary to clear your head and come back completely engaged to tackle stuff and get it done!
This blog reminds me of an analogy we use in training. A director once told us she felt like an ATM machine, I’m always ready to give different amounts of time, energy, and care to different people at a moment’s notice.” She mentioned feeling overwhelmed as staff were constantly “withdrawing” energy from her. We now use this analogy every time we do training on effective leadership and have participants share creative strategies to reduce stress based on the ATM analogy. Here are some of the responses we have received over the years:
– Give out smaller bills
– Limit the amount people are allowed to withdraw (set limitations using time, creating norms, etc.)
– Post an “out of order” sign directing people to another nearby ATM
– Unplug the machine for a while (create times when interruptions/withdraws are not possible)
– Post hours of operation sign/limit hours of operation
– Make it clear that deposits are also accepted at the ATM
– Use a password to gain access to the money
– Require a balance of withdraws and deposits
– Locate the ATM next to the bank teller for support
– Schedule regular maintenance for the ATM
Thanks for sharing this post! I will “share-it-on” with those we train!
Thanks Jill, for fleshing out the ATM idea. I love it! I’ve used the bank account analogy in the past but I can see that this is so much more complete.
I love the ATM idea. I will definitely share this with a few of my friends/colleagues who like me are very committed and invested in their careers and we often forget to refuel ourselves.
A recent viral illness which wiped me out for nearly 4 full weeks has been a wake up call for me that I need to take leave regularly throughout the year. some ancient proverb about pouring from an empty cup is springing to mind !
I think what is important to make this work, at least for me, is to actually plan to do something different, to get outside of the ordinary where I can see things differently.
Perfect timing!
Thank you for this article. Extra important to remember this time of year, for all educators.
I pledge to share and spread the messages in the book. It sounds to me advice I need to absorb, digest and raise for discussion with my colleagues.
I’m a everyday reader of your tweets.Very insightful and step by step I try to inculcate good habits and try to make changes in my thinking.
Taking short breaks everyday help me refocus on important things.
Planning a vacation time and delegating some mandatory activities help in enjoying vacation to the fullest.
Innovation needs emotional and physical wellbeing of each and everyone of my team.
Living a more purpose-driven (less superficial) life has been my renewed focus in 2019. Coming to the realization that it’s less about happiness and more about joy has been a significant component of my learning. For 2020, I intend to focus on the work more deeply. This includes not just how I invest my hours, and schedule my priorities, but also, the minutes. I do this fairly well when it comes to work. 2020 is going to be about how it can be done in everyday life. Thank you for the post!
~ Dennis @schug_dennis
The concept of work-life balance is an intriguing one. It does not come easy and needs to be worked at continually. Interested to read more on the steps to integrate more work life balance practices into every week.
As a first year principal, I will admit this is extremely hard. My own preconceived notions of what it means to be passionate for the work tend to eclipse my judgment when it comes time for rest and rejuvenation. My desire to do good and make a difference often cloud my view of what it means to maintain a leadership-life fit. I know that passion and desire for good does not have to be the sole focus of my life, but rather the products of how I choose to focus my energies. It’s a skill that I may never master but will continue to develop.