How Downtime Can Actually Improve Your Business
Guest Blog by Danielle Isaac, Energized Businesses
One of the hardest things in business is knowing when to push and when to chill. Many of us have been taught to always push. To be busy all the time and to go, go, go, go, go is the norm. I’ve heard many people advise others that their first few years are all about working hard – maybe even 16-hour days 6 days a week. So, when we’re not doing that, we often feel like we’re doing something wrong.
After recovering from burnout and working with others who have done so as well, I can tell you that few people can work those sorts of hours without negative consequences to their health and relationships. Especially, if you are recovering from burnout. There comes a point where your body just says, enough! I experienced that firsthand while I was building my business. It was hard to build a business that way and it was a long road to recovery.
If you observe nature, there are times of great growth and there are times of rest. This cycle exists within all things on our planet. Even the 24-hour cycle has a period of wakefulness and a period of sleep. It’s important to realize that it goes against our human nature to always be going and busy. We can do it for a while but can pay the price later.
Downtimes are necessary to not only rest and recover, but also to reflect and to contemplate. We can use the downtimes to determine our next moves. We can use them to meditate and journal. We can use them to center and ground ourselves, so we make good, sound decisions rather than acting impulsively and reactively. We can also use them for introspection and self-improvement.
Depending on your own rhythms, you may need this once a day, or possibly once a week. I build in time every morning and on Mondays until 2 pm. I meditate, journal, organize my to-do items, read spiritual and personal development books, and relax. This time is very productive but not in terms of doing things. It’s more about centering and grounding myself. Clarity often comes through these windows, helping me to know when and where to focus my energy and efforts. It’s also good for noticing where I’m wasting energy so I can eliminate it.
Since incorporating down time, my life is much more balanced. I’ve opened up more space to relax, write, exercise, eat healthy meals, spend time with my family and all without feeling overwhelmed. Learning to be okay with quieter times has been the biggest challenge because my mind likes to complain that I should be busy. However, the proof is in the pudding. My quality of life is so much better, I’m more organized and I am far less stressed. And on most days, I still get a lot done. I just don’t feel stressed about whether I do or I don’t. I know, if it’s important, it will get done when the time is right.
So, if you know that downtime would be a good thing for you to incorporate, find some times to schedule it in. Make the space on your calendar and then think of some ways you can use the time wisely. Each day you have some time, practice tapping into your intuition and ask yourself what activities you feel like doing. Stay open to the answers you receive, some days you might be pleasantly surprised. Utilize the time to help you expand into realms of activities you haven’t been before and see where it takes you.
Danielle Isaac
Energized Businesses
danielle@energizedbusinesses.com
(503) 481-7531