Every day I hear the frustration of high-performing results producers who cannot fit their ten pounds of responsibility into their five-pound bag. And what (or who) always gets pushed to the back burner is their own personal needs – “me time.”
And, since our world got thoroughly shaken up by Covid and all of its repercussions, some of our frustrations went away but were quickly replaced with new ones.
Work, family, church, community, and the duties of life take precedence over what you’re really rather spending your time on.
Well just as the airlines instruct when we are about to take off on an airplane, “Put your own oxygen mask on first before assisting others.” If your needs do not get met, there will not be enough of you to go around to all the others you support and nurture. Here are some tips to help regain your balance and put your own oxygen mask on first:
- Evaluate your real needs. Ask yourself questions like, “What is my real frustration here?” “What would I really prefer to be doing?” “How could I fit in my own needs?” “What could I say ‘no’ to, so I can fit in some ‘me time?” And if you don’t get an answer right away, keep asking.
- Do not be too quick to answer the above questions either. Just sit with the questions for a while. Your responsible, conscious mind will give you a different answer than your subconscious mind but we usually have to wait for that more discerning answer. The mind is miraculous and will probably surprise you with an answer as you wake up one morning (or while you’re taking a shower)…when you are least expecting it.
- Complete one thing you’ve been procrastinating on; one task, duty, project, etc. you have been putting off for whatever reason(s). You will be amazed at how much this frees you up!
- As frequently as possible, book a three to five-day weekend to regroup and collect your thoughts. Even if you can’t travel as easily now for a full-on vacation, a short local trip will take you away from your daily duties long enough time to “catch your breath.” You’ll likely return with a new sense of control and the energy to carry on.
- Schedule appointments with services that nurture you. Get a massage, a facial, a manicure, a pedicure, 20 minutes in a hot tub, a long walk, a good run, a Pilates workout…you get the picture.
And yes, I mean men too! - Buy a novel to read and allow yourself 15 minutes here and there to get lost in a good book.
- Buy a beautiful notebook and start your own dream book. Put pictures, words, written goals, etc. into the notebook that depicts the life you dream of. You may be very surprised by what you accomplish by noting your progress after putting the book down for a while and then later reviewing what you had written. Feel free to do this digitally, if that is your bent.
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