I think I’m learning, the hard way, what I’m going to share with you today.  I am talking about getting rest……for your brain and of course for your body.  Our culture, your own ambitions can steal the energy from THE most important tool in your business–your mind.  There is really good news, once you understand what YOU need (it’s personal) You can start making some small shifts in ONE area of your life to get what you need.

Many of my clients come to business ownership bringing our financial, legal, real estate or coaching expertise to the table.  All pretty heady stuff right?  What none of us has been taught is how your most powerful resource, your head knowledge, your creative ideas, your insight comes from brain power and the brain needs rest to give you more of just that. The idea is to learn a rhythm of rest that gives you the energy to handle the business you’ve created and to have the energy and motivation to do more.   

We were taught for example  that all nighters worked, but did they?  I tried twice, it did not work!!!  We were taught that long work days were the path to success, but maybe not!!! And it will take a bit of trusting what IS working in your business to step back and ‘do’ less or to take breaks in your routine.  But as I’ve done this, as my clients have, it is so instantly gratifying you’ll be thrilled that you gave this mindset shift around rest a try.  Have I sold you yet? I hope so.  

I do feel like the trainer that is asking you to start working out promising you that it will feel better.  Oh it does but it takes mental discipline (here a bit of courageous confidence) and a little discomfort first.  But the payoffs become intrinsically rewarding.  

Where do you need support?  More sleep, more margin or more time off.  Just start with one.  Start with small shifts.  Why does this work? Because when we make big changes our brain gets over involved and might talk you out of this.

Sleep-do you love your hours of sleep?  

This is how you know you need more: Do you HAVE to have 2-3 cups of coffee to feel mentally alert?  Do you need a big pick me up later in the day?  Are you wiped out and crabby before you even get through dinner.  Yup, you need more nighttime rest.  

Put yourself to bed 30 minutes earlier, add more if needed each week and find YOUR optimum amount.Give this process some time.  I started this in 2019, putting myself up to bed at 10, and it has been amazing.  I have clients that realized what an achille’s heel sleep was and put this as a non-negotiable.  What could this practice do for you?

I do not go to sleep right away.  I wind down with my journal, a great fictional read and get to sleep. Turning off my laptop  I have added more sleep and less wine and I’m getting much of my content work done before I start coaching clients.  I love it.  It’s been like getting my am workout done first, frees me up for business building activities during the afternoon. So good.  Do you need this?  Fight for it if you sense that more hours of sleep would make a difference. With my new  wind down routine I actually look forward to getting to bed. (ok those childhood habits are coming in strong—-anyone?)

Margin-ok I have one really big pet peeve about zoom meetings, and even the way I schedule my own day.  What is it with scheduling everything up until the hour.  There are truly times I am solid at my desk for 4-5 hours.  Gaaah!!! That is wearing me out!  Implementing margin between meetings, clarity breaks (get outside and walk) and a true lunch break can be life giving and might I say crucial for your brain.  This is where you have an opportunity to LEAD your calendar instead of letting it happen to you.  

When we actually take time to breath a bit, go to the restroom and reset our mind for the next activity it is powerful.  I think this is THE biggest way to increase our capacity of productive work during the day. I know I am less fatigued, less brain drained when I simply and intentionally reset between each call.  Now I have to follow through more in places where I guide the calls and close up at 10 of the hour.  I think it would serve me well AND serve my clients/colleagues as well.   

Time Off-Most of us put this off and only take time off when we have a big vacation.  Without travel in 2020, some of us just stopped taking vacations.  I’m so guilty of this, I used my trips with my mom, invitations to visit and my coaching retreats to break up my work time.  So I did some work remotely in the mountains but didn’t take time off.  The mindset part of this is so huge, this could be an entire podcast.  The amount of time off can be directly related to how much you trust in your results.  

Lead your calendar strong this year and create some margin.

I forgot. Have you?  Have you forgotten that some of your best ideas or clarity around decisions that you need to make did NOT come out of the day to day but from that time AWAY?  This is rocket fuel for us.  To let our mind wander, to get our body in a different location, to spend time with loved ones or solo getting fully away from our lives, it is so energizing.

I forgot what I learned in 2019. Big Goals, Big invites…..I got a hell yes email a client on the top of Jackson Hole ski resort.  I’ll NEVER forget that moment. And I’ll never forget that month.  Working short work weeks VERY efficiently, packing quickly and immersing myself in some VERY fun get aways.  I forgot, OMG watch out travel industry, there will be a boom we can safely travel again FOR SURE. 

What is it for you? Do you want to design a shorter work week?  Do you want to get away more and take lingering weekends.  What got your attention here?  Big vacations are great but what about a new rhythm that could happen more on the regular.  I am designing my calendar differently in 2021.  On the weeks that I hold my client group/mastermind call, I’m cancelling all other activities.  I’m going to batch record, create, get some videos done, get more of this work out in ways that support my clients.  What could you do with a new rhythm in your business?  Your clients and your family just might thank you for it!!!

So where are you going to start? And what is coming up.  Remember, we have all been sold the story that more hours = more productivity.