Simple Ideas for Adult Time Out

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:01:17 +0000

I worked at a place where the boss handed out a book with the biggest and most genuine smile I’d ever seen on her face. The book was a smaller, large font, hardback talking about the new workplace and how to be a new worker. The gist, don’t whine, do more, work harder and enjoy it or hit the road. She thought it was revolutionary, I thought it was a sad declaration. Unfortunately, some 10-years later, many workers, many of you and myself are finding ourselves working away, recording longer hours than ever before and we’re not being directly compensated for these efforts. All too frequently these are behaviors to protect ourselves from being fired or downsized. More and more we’re spending our time, off the clock but on the job. Where has the weekend gone? Are you having fun?

All of this is exhausting. And if we could only be heard, we could stand up and demonstrate with study after study that proves employees are more productive when they’re rested, supported and working in a positive environment. You needn’t have a degree in psychology to see this is true, think about the last time you were complimented, by ANYONE. How did you feel? If it was a stranger complimenting your look, did you have a spring in your step? A smile, did a smile sneak across your face? Did you find yourself wanting to pay it forward? Last time you complimented someone, did you notice a boost in warmth/kindness in that relationship. Each time I compliment my daughter, I end up with an ‘I love you dad’ and a hug at some point in the next few hours.

Many countries close to the equator adopted the afternoon nap, the siesta, mainly due to heat but the effects are a calmer, rested workforce. Offices that employ this concept find their employees don’t hit the after lunch wall, make fewer mistakes and are more productive right up ’til the workday ends. More vacation time and group exercising are a couple other examples.

I understand, as well as anyone, the pressures to push on, work a little more, to give just another minute: I really do. Look, we all have to do what we have to do but it does well to remember a rested body is more efficient, time out for yourself will let you rejuvenate. So, take a few moments of YOU time.

I believe in realistic goals, sure if you can, head to some exotic and quiet place for 3-weeks, but for most of us the steps we’re going to start with are going to be much simpler. Take an early morning walk. Steal forty minutes for a book. Call some friends, meet at the local coffee shop Saturday morning. Simple, basic steps to get your mind out of your desk and back into balance. Certainly, if you have the means and can carve out the time, take a weekend away, head to the coast or the mountains. Go on the cheap, stay in a travel motel chain, eat at a local breakfast nook rather than a 5-star restaurant. Grab the towns local free entertainment paper and look for something to do, free. We’re talking basic, little things we so quickly give up, take ‘em back.

Of course if you can afford to go somewhere and spend more money, then you should go for it. The toughest part for you will be actually taking the time out. If you do have the means, then you ought to challenge yourself, create a new dynamic, really stir the soul. Try something like a Sierra Club or an outing through the recreation department of the local college or, try an adult adventure summer camp. A place where they’ll put you and a group of contemporaries through a teen adventure camp: rafting, hiking, team building. A great way to find the kid inside, to really let go and play as well as tap your inner strength.

Look, they have kid camps, they have family camps so, why not an adult camp? Getting out and about in nature is cathartic. There’s something about being outdoors that inspires, encourages and supports healthy balancing. So, step outside of the box, do something unexpected and reap the benefits of a camp that challenges you emotionally & physically. The food is great, the staff phenomenal and new friends are always great to meet.

Are you having fun? You should be. You’re logging all those hours for something. It took me a long while and a lot of loss to realize, I’m happier if I create a bit of balance. Heck, it’s not easy. Even scheduling in ME time can be stressful, but I found, only in the beginning did I experience this stress. I was just like you. I worked around the clock. Ate meals over the computer, spent all weekends creating, tweaking and performing. Oh, I “succeeded”, but at what cost? A minor heart hiccup, a hundred pounds around the middle, zero personal life, not much family life and a funk as the economy took a nose dive no matter how much time I logged.

I’ve been carving out the little time, getting balanced, getting healthier again. I’ve done some of the things suggested above. I think for all the talking heads on television and in our radios telling us to do this and avoid that, far too few of them are reminding us, to do for us. It is our lives we’re leading after all. So, get out, do something for you, no matter how small. Today, I rode my bike for 40-minutes with my teenage daughter, best time I had all weekend. It was free, it was only 40-minutes but it was good. The rest of the weekend, I’ve been on this computer!

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Simple Ideas for Adult Time Out