Having recently driven a few hundred miles on a family vacation, I was reminded that there is a big difference between a taking trip and a taking time out to recharge.
And while businesses often host social events or trips for customers …business owners often don’t take time out in their schedule to personally recharge themselves and invest in themselves professionally.
Are you one of them?
If so, you might be missing out on the most strategic investment you can make this year. Doesn’t a better you translate to better results for your organization, almost immediately?
Here then, is some encouragement to do two things: (a) take the responsibility for your own personal and professional renewal off of autopilot, and (b) move it up the priority list enough to make sure that some form of investment in your own renewal gets on your calendar this year.
Here are a few common and compelling reasons why you need to make sure it happens:
1) You’re tired. And you’re not that good when you’re tired. You need the energy to be at the top of your game, let alone keep up. Rest will NOT come without you taking time out.
2) You have gotten off track. Sure you could keep going, but in the wrong direction? Maybe it’s time to get your direction straight and make sure your gut agrees with where you’re leading your people. Take a breather to figure it out.
3) You were at the cutting (or creative) edge in 1997….but now? Maybe you need to take time out to get acquainted with the best practices in your industry for 2010 and beyond. Ideas like social network marketing, results-based scheduling, virtual departments and the “4-hour work week” should be enough to remind you that, it’s not the 90’s anymore AND you’re still expected to lead the way. Time to invest in some learning for yourself.
4) You need to reinvent or upgrade yourself. The next phase of your business requires better thinking, greater flexibility and your experienced hand on the wheel…but you’re older, wiser, more seasoned and ready for a NEW phase in your career. Take time out to get straight on what that looks like…and start to make your new plans.
5) You want better results sooner, rather than later. If you wait to sharpen yourself, restore your energy or take your work to the next level…you’ll have to wait that much longer to experience any results. Make sure you invest in yourself TODAY so that you have something to show for it tomorrow.
Bottom Line: If you’re like most professionals, in spite of wanting more energy, better results and greater flow in your life, you underestimate the importance of taking time out to make it happen. Do yourself (and those you care about) a big favor: renew you.
(This post was previously published in the May 2010 issue of Business Leader http://www.businessleader.bz/ )
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Written by Tom Plake
Topics: Sustain Yourself