Virginia WaltonAre you constantly on the go, rushing from one meeting to the next, then rushing around after work getting kids to their activities, errands, and responsibilities and still checking email in between?
Do you feel like you never have time to just relax and do nothing?
I am willing to bet most of you related to these in some way.
We are constantly trying to take care of everyone and everything and we are running out of hours.
That desire to cross it off the list and just power through is strong in high achievers.
Trust me I have been known to write down things I already did just for the satisfaction of taking my sharpie to it!
You may be able to power through for a period of time to complete a project or meet a deadline, but this cannot be a way of life.
I’ve heard the believer that one thrives on stress. Yes, our bodies are built to react under periods of stress to save us, but not live that way. It is called the flight or fight response for a reason. It is a response to an immediate threat or danger.
A never-ending to-do list is not an immediate danger!
This is counterproductive.
Eventually, you start to get too tired to perform at your best. You are less effective and less efficient, and the quality of your work goes down when you are tired.
That is not just physical exhaustion but mental exhaustion too. Your mind needs a break and time to re-charge.
Your phone or other device needs time to recharge. If the battery gets too low, the screen goes dim. The same is true of you.
When your battery is low you are a little dimer.
It takes you longer to do things, you are more likely to make mistakes or miss things. You may be snippy with peers so your relationships at work suffer.
If you saw all of these risks in a process or project, you would call them out as needing to be addressed.
Do the same thing for your own well-being. Taking breaks and recharging will make you more productive!
That is why when you take PTO, you should not be checking email, calling into meetings, or texting your team for updates. Stop telling yourself you have to.
You don’t!
The business will continue without you for a week or two. Hell, if you became severely ill or injured and could no longer work, the organization would have your role posted and filled in no time.
Here is another painful reminder, if you do not take care of yourself, that could be a reality.
Even founders get replaced. Apple is still releasing new products; Walmart is selling stuff and Ford is manufacturing vehicles. They may have hit bumps after the founder was gone, but they are still viable businesses.
Your well-being is more important. And the more focused you are the better-quality work and results you produce so your company is better off if you take a break.
Let me say that again, your company and your team will be in a better place because of your taking a break than you powering through. Why?
You will bring more value when rested and focused.
Keep in mind, that what you do is the example you set for your team. NOT what you say.
If you are pushing through, that is what your team thinks you expect.
Those who are not willing to do that will leave and those that are willing will eventually start to produce lower quality work too.
By showing healthy habits and the importance of taking time to disconnect and recharge, your team will be more effective, and guess who gets credit for that? Yup, YOU!!!
As we approach the summer vacation season remember to set your out-of-office response, turn off your work email notifications, rest your mind and leave your guilt at home.
Trust me there is no room for it in your carry-on.