“Time Out!” Greasing the Squeaky Wheels of High Achievers

When we love our work, or even if we don’t (and that’s a shame!), we tend to go full tilt as high achievers.  We have our goals, we know the actions we need to take to achieve them, and we are continually cultivating the relationships, systems and time to make them happen.  We do all this so we can feel good about ourselves and about the work we do, and the value we create for ourselves and others.

That’s the good news.  And there’s more good news, but we don’t often stop long enough to hear it.  That is, we need to refresh our spirit, relax our mind, renew our energy, rest our body…we need to take a “time out”!

I am a proponent of 3 different ways to take a “time out”, and when you use all three, it’s like greasing the squeaky wheel.  Even if you don’t think your wheel is “squeaky”, you’ll get lots more mileage out of that wheel (metaphor for your peak performance), if you practice these simple techniques regularly.

1. Sitting & Breathing: This is probably one of the hardest things to do, with the greatest pay-off!  Just sit and breathe!  Sit in a chair or on a cushion, and notice your breath.  Scan your body for any tension.  Tap into all of your five senses and notice what signals they’re receiving.

   A sitting practice is one of the most beneficial practices, and you can do it anywhere, and in that calm state, access your creativity, your problem solving skills, but best of all, detach from all the activity and stress-inducing tasks demanding your attention.  Do this at least once a day, and do it at the same time every day, more or less.  You will build up this “calming muscle” just like you build up any muscle when you exercise it.

2. Sleep: There are more and more studies proving that we are sleep deprived.  Research is showing that even people who honestly believe that they operate well on five hours sleep experience greater focus, energy, creativity and peace when they sleep eight hours.  A power nap (even though that term always seems like a contradiction to me) is so beneficial that some of the top CEO’s have built it into their workday.

   Prepare yourself to sleep.  Turn off the television at least 30 minutes before sleep time.  OK, we may be too old for a bedtime story, but what about some good reading?  You may be reading a book on leadership, but that is not for bedtime.  Have a good entertaining novel, or a spiritual book, or write in a journal, focusing on what you did well, or the people and activities you appreciated that day.

3. R & R: Rest and relaxation is what the army would give soldiers after long term dedicated service.  We deserve the same.  Almost every corporation gives two weeks’ vacation after one year’s service, so take it!   Long weekends are good, and act as “pit stops”, but you really need a full seven days to really unravel.

   Take a real vacation at least once a year, preferably twice.  And I mean really take a vacation!  Be unplugged and unconnected.  Yes, I mean no internet access or telephoning to the office.  You need the rest, you need the relaxation, and you need the distance to restore equilibrium to your outlook on life and business.  Your personal preference may want a cultural vacation (Paris, Rome, Dubai), a nature adventure (Costa Rica, Machu Pichu, Mt. Everest), or a tropical beach (you name it!).

This is the 3-step dance to ensuring your success.  These “time out’s” are not meant as a punishment, but as a reward for giving as much as you do, day in, day out, with passion, commitment, innovation, collaboration and sweat.  You’re no good to anyone if you’re not good to yourself.  So build in your “time out’s” and begin to reap the benefits for yourself and see the ripple effect in the world you’re building for yourself and others.