I was talking to a client this afternoon about the same problem, as things get busier, and energy gets used up in one area, we deplete the energy available for other things in our life and shortchange those we love, as well as those things we love to do!  One of the things I do love about working with individuals is that I always learn so much from them, and in the process I grow!  I can see my reflection in them as we work through the challenges they face.. the challenge of having too many balls in the air, too many people looking to them to get things done, and sometimes the challenge of taking on too much.

One of the biggest challenges I face, and a weakness of mine is giving my time to others and causes I believe in.  And often, I offer free what I should be charging for… this was brought to my attention again at lunch by a colleague who is working on a volunteer project with me, I set about to pick his brains about developing my business.  He went through the process of asking simple questions that made me really think and focus on who I serve, how much I give away either through reduction in fees, or just through offering services.  He sat me down and questioned where my attention was, who my ideal client really is and asked why should anyone pay me for stuff  when I was giving it away!  He’s made me aware that in the process of trying to help others, I’ve been shortchanging myself and my business.  A challenge I’ve sorta been aware of, when it has come back to bite me, such as the time I gave free coaching to an acquaintance who then went out and hired a coach because of the value she’d received!  I struggle between volunteer projects and expanding my business, however no one has ever called me on it – until now!   And so what to do…

I’m taking time out to really think deeply about the questions posed today.  My clients have varied from business to personal, and a mixture of both.  I truly believe that life is life and we can’t separate our work life from everything else – life is life.  However in order to grow, I hear time and time again, that I should specialize, focus on one area and move my attention to there alone, difficult for one who loves to play the field as it were.  I like people, I like working with them to delve into whatever challenges they face, however because of this I’m apparently seen as too generalist and should really focus on one area.  I’m going away soon to visit my sister, and in the process it is time to refocus and decide what path I want to take.  So, I know I have quite a few readers out there, tell me your thoughts – you’ve read my blogs over the past year, and heard my voice, now I’d like to hear yours, please.

​How do you balance your volunteer life with work and life?   What do you do when you realize you’ve dropped all those good habits you’ve cultivated and how do you travel back to balance?   What about those big decisions and complex challenges, how do you make decisions on which way to go?  I’m open and interested – talk to me!

Are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, out of balance and under the gun at work – do you tell yourself and others that you cannot take vacation because you are too busy?  Do you think taking a vacation will make you look less dedicated to your workplace?
Let’s debunk some myths:
1.   I’ll be seen as less dedicated and less productive –

• research shows us that productivity increases when we give our brains the opportunity to ‘tune out’ from work and tune in to something different.  When we return from a break we are usually more rested.  We have taken time to rest and recharge our batteries so that we have more energy to focus on what’s important.

2.    I’ll be more stressed if I take a vacation

• Time off has proven benefits – It reduces stress and many reports say it is good for our heart health.  A Scandinavian study showed women who vacationed once every 6 years or more were 8 times more likely to develop heart disease or suffer heart attacks than those who travelled at least twice a year

3.   I’ll be less focused

• Taking time off, is good for our mental health & resilience, it helps the mind and body heal and allows our brain time to reboot.  A reduction in stress through a vacation can help return focus better than any other activity

Let’s rephrase and talk about what a vacation or taking time off can do for you!

• It can decrease burnout.  People who take time to relax are less likely to experience burnout, which allows them to be more creative and productive than those who don’t take breaks
• Improves and rekindles relationships:  Spending quality time with family and friends gives us the opportunity to have better quality and more meaningful relationships.
• Gives us time to re-access life’s priorities, while allowing us to refresh, rejuvenate  and re-centre ourselves.  Allows us to rebalance work/life priorities.
• Vacations improve Sleep:  Taking vacations improve overall sleep. Rested workers can focus better, have more energy and are more productive. 

Now I’m talking about a real vacation, not a day here and there but a week, or even better two weeks away.  To really benefit from a vacation we must – turn off e-mail and calls, and stop thinking about work.  Even planning a vacation can change our outlook and make us happier.  If you worry about someone dropping the ball at work, plan, delegate and then trust.  Remember no one is indispensable, although we do sometimes like to think we are..  I’m often amazed when I go away, and really turn off, how many solutions I find when I return home, to challenges I had struggled with before I left.

It’s important to take time away, whether you own the business, are an key team leader or a new employee.  It’s important to your health, which in turn is important to your company’s health.  Burnout is real and costly for companies, stressed out employees are not productive or creative, in fact they can be downright grumpy and disruptive.
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Remember you only have this life to live, you are in charge of how you live it.  Working yourself to the bone, suffering ill health and bad relationships because you are afraid of taking time away may mean it’s time to re-access what’s important.  Take back your time!  Live the life you have been given with joy, gratitude and happiness.  And, if you need  support to instigate changes, contact me and set up an appointment for a free discovery session.