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Seven Tips for Taking Time for Yourself

I’m going to admit that I’m terrible at what I’m recommending today – taking time for yourself. Often my weekly blog is something I too am working on, and this week is no exception.

Many of you know that I have a child and run a business. Perhaps like you, I work, travel, parent, cook and attempt to keep my house clean.  I’ll admit, in the past nine years, I haven’t had lunch with a friend without my son in tow, haven’t seen an adult movie, and only talk to friends when I’m traveling for work. BUT, since January 1st, I’ve been to four Pilates classes a week because doing so makes me feel better and because I said I would.

The classes are blocked on my calendar. I take my son to school, go to Pilates, and then start my work day. It’s the one thing I do for myself each week. And this summer, I might just be able to wear a bathing suit without my signature mumu skirt I’ve been wearing my entire adult life.

The value of downtime and taking time for yourself is well documented. There is a lot written on the need to take breaks to recharge and rejuvenate to avoid burn out. The question is how to do so without feeling like something else is getting short shrift.

make time for yourself

Here are seven tips for taking time for yourself:

Taking time for yourself tip one: Give yourself permission after a really busy few days or week(s) to have a lightly scheduled day. If you’ve been on the road or worked really long hours for four days, don’t schedule early morning meetings and a full day on the fifth day. Know that you won’t be productive on day five anyway, so you might as well plan to do less, which is what you’re likely to do anyway.

Taking time for yourself tip two: Plan a day doing non-work-related things you really enjoy. When is the last time you did something you really love to do, just because? But, if a day of planned recreational activities feels like another ‘to do,’ you’re better off doing nothing and not feeling badly about it.

Taking time for yourself tip three: Plan time to see a friend weekly. I’ll admit that I have to schedule phone calls to catch up with friends and schedule time to see people I care about. Yes, I admit, this seems wrong. But do whatever it takes. If you have to put lunch or a phone call with a friend in your calendar for it to happen, do it.

Taking time for yourself tip four: Don’t feel badly about taking time off. Many employees don’t take their allotted vacation time – for a variety of reasons. Just do what you need to feel rested and refreshed. Stop judging yourself.

Taking time for yourself tip five: If you take a day off or sleep late, don’t work until two in the morning the next day to compensate. Doing so defeats the purpose and will put you in a hole the next day.

Taking time for yourself tip six: Watch where your time goes when you’re ‘working.’ I know that I squander lots of time while I’m ‘working.’ I allow myself to get distracted reading emails as they come in versus working on the project that’s on my calendar, texting with friends, and chatting in our office. You could work fewer hours if you reduced these distractions.

Taking time for yourself tip seven: Decide what you really want your life to be about and what’s really important to you. Do you want work to be your focus, or do you want an equal balance of friendships, family, and community activities? You likely have what it is that you really want.

If what you really want is a career-centric life, then just admit that and don’t judge yourself for it. But do take enough time off that you are rested, productive, and don’t resent your work.

taking time for yourself

About 

Shari Harley is the founder and President of Candid Culture, a Denver-based training firm that is bringing candor back to the workplace, making it easier to give feedback at work. Shari is the author of the business communication book How to Say Anything to Anyone: A Guide to Building Business Relationships that Really Work. She is a keynote speaker at conferences and does training throughout the U.S. Learn more about Shari Harley and Candid Culture’s training programs at www.candidculture.com.

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