Have you ever had one of those weeks that you know in advance is going to test all of your strength and endurance because it’s so stacked full? That was my week. With two trips down to Edmonton and back in 5 days (which is a 4.5 hour drive each way), two sponsorships, a trade show, a career fair, negotiating real estate deals, doing some edits on my website, and all the other “work” in between… needless to say I didn’t get my usual rest this week.
For the record, this is not my preferred way of operating. For those looking in on my life from the outside, it might appear like I’m always go go go, but weeks like this one are more of an anomaly than my usual M.O.
The need for rest is real! You’ve got to work hard and rest harder.
In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle of everything there is to “do” while forgetting to renew your energy to keep going. Your body is like a car that needs gas – you can keep pushing it to see how far you’ll go when the tank is on empty, but eventually you won’t be able to get any further without re-fueling. But what do you do when a week like this one rolls around and you have to muster up all that energy to make it through?
We all know that working hard is crucial to achieving success in any area of life. Whether you're trying to build a successful business or pursuing a personal goal, it isn’t going to happen sitting on the couch – you have to put in the work necessary to achieve the desired outcome.
As a business owner, hard work is essential to grow your company. It requires dedication, focus, and perseverance to create a successful business. The rewards are building expertise, gaining experience and developing a reputation for excellence in your industry. When you run a business, there's always more work to be done and it's easy to get caught up in the never-ending to-do list. Without proper rest, you risk burnout, decreased productivity and poor decision-making which essentially sabotages all the hard work in the first place.
Resting allows you to recharge your batteries and approach your work with renewed energy and focus. It also gives you the mental clarity needed to make sound decisions for your business. When you take time to rest, you're investing in your own well-being and the long-term success of your business.
Here’s a few ways you can prioritize your energy so that you can have a kick-ass business and an all around successful life:
1. Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and rest. Decide when you will start and end your workday and stick to it. Make sure to prioritize your time off.
2. Prioritize self-care: Make self-care a priority in your life. This can include exercise, healthy eating, getting enough sleep, and practicing mindfulness. Taking care of your physical and mental health will help you feel refreshed and ready to tackle your work.
3. Take breaks: Take regular breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. This can include taking a walk, intentional deep breathing, or just stepping away from your work for a few minutes. I like to incorporate the 50/10 strategy - 50 minutes of solid focus followed by 10 minutes of rest.
4. Plan your rest: Schedule downtime into your calendar just like you would schedule an important business meeting.
5. Learn to say no: It's important to set boundaries. Learn to say no to commitments that don't align with your priorities, values or goals. This will help you avoid over-committing and ensure that you have time for rest.
But, if you happen to have a week like I just had where all the opportunities were significant to the growth of my businesses…then ensure you build in the time off in lieu of the hustle to get through it all. It’s pretty safe to say the next two days are going to be pretty chill for me to make up for all the running around I had to do this week, and thankfully since I’m a business owner, I can make that call and take that time to refresh when I need to.