More Time Off Isn't The Answer

I wonder if you ever find yourself thinking, “I need a vacation,” or “When is my next day off?” or even, “How many mental health days am I allowed to take?” 

You wouldn’t be alone if you fantasize about more time off. 

We’ve been told that we’ll feel better, maybe even heal our burnout, if we just reduce our work hours. 

Exhausted high achievers are being given suggestions like:

  • 4 day work weeks 

  • Off site work sessions

  • More vacations

  • Sabbaticals

All in an effort to cure our beat up bodies and worn out brains.

I’m not against these ideas, per se. 

But…. they AREN’T the answer for busy, stretched, fried high achievers. 

Why not?

Because the way we DO work life, 

Is the way we DO LIFE. 

More time off isn’t the answer. 

You know this… "No matter where you go, there you are!!!

Now, I don’t want you to think that it’s hopeless and that you’ll just have to keep soldiering on like this until… Well, the kids are out of the house, or you end up in the ER. 

And, I also don’t want you to think that it's your fault that you’re feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and drained.

You’ve been taught to approach life with hustle and grit. (Think “always on”.)

What you HAVEN'T been taught is to also approach life rhythmically. (Think ebb and flow.)


When you notice the cadence of your day, 

and intentionally use those little breaks in the action, 

You’ll stop running on empty and

You’ll create a life you won’t need a vacation from.


Even though our days often feel non-stop and sometimes frenetic, there are spaces in between the action, where we can regain control and ownership.

Some examples of the these nearly imperceptible spaces are::

  • The few seconds after your alarm rings and before your feet hit the floor

  • The brief pause after someone’s question to you and your response

  • The time after you park your car and before you open the door

  • The moment after you close your laptop and before you enter the living room with the family 

The list is infinite. 

What other spaces in your day could you pause, for a brief moment and reclaim ownership of your day? Share them with me. Lisa@livingfullybalanced.com.

I want to create a large list of places/times in our day, where we can reset and get back to our best self.


Because I believe when we leverage those precious “Pivot Points”,

We can control the direction of our day. 

And when we control the direction of our days, 

We change the trajectory of our lives. 


Can you help me out with finding these “Pivot Points” in the day?

Email me and tell me what you find. 
 

We’re heading deep into a notoriously frenetic and busy season. I don’t want you to soldier through it all, only to wake up in January feeling like a Mack truck ran you over. 

When we leverage these “Pivot Points” during the upcoming weeks ahead we’ll be:

  • Refueling our tanks

  • Regenerating our energy

  • Resetting ourselves

And while everyone else is wishing for more “time off”, you and I will already be creating a life we don’t need a vacation from. 

Again, notice the Pivot Points in your day, and send them to me. And I'll accumulate a large list for all of us! 

Here’s to finding those precious pockets of peace!

Lisa







Action Plans, Burnout, Habit ChangeLisa BobyakBurnout, habitsComment