Are you hard-driving to get results?
Finding yourself exhausted with little energy to get done what you really want? Or, maybe forgetting what it is that you even want or enjoy doing?
Is being “always on” and connected going to help you achieve success?
Studies show no — this isn’t the case and that this behavior even reduces our IQ! When we’re always in “doing” mode, we actually feel like we’re in a chronic state of crisis mode. This adrenaline-induced state isn’t good for our bodies and results in stress which obviously slows us down.
We need to build in rest and recovery time into our lives to experience the best results.
The month of August always reminds me about the importance of taking breaks because my family in Italy takes time off during this month. In Italy, August 15th marks an important season called Ferragosto where Italians vacation from August 15th through the end of the month. This holiday was originally introduced to celebrate the harvest and the end of an intense period of labor.
So, what if we took the spirit of Ferragosto and built in recovery time throughout the year to celebrate hard work, get rest, and rejuvenate to ultimately experience more productivity and better results?
Below are five simple ways to practice recovery time, and the benefits that come along with it.
RELAX
By relaxing we experience less stress, which yields more creativity and the ability to work faster.
- When you’re relaxed and not stressed, your brain actually performs better.
- You’ll be more creative and open to solutions and ideas to solve problems or to get through your daily life.
- You’ll be more productive and get more done in less time.
So, take a walk and listen to music or a favorite podcast. Go for a swim. Garden. Take a yoga class. Cook something yummy. Put your phone away and read a book. Do whatever it takes to actually relax.
Learn more: Check out this book The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology that Fuel Success and Performance at Work or a newsletter that explains you need to start by Feeling Happier to Get Results.
GET CLEAR
Getting clear on who you’re “being” positively influences what you do and attracts better results.
- We’re often reviewing what we need to do or what we didn’t get done. At times, it can be more productive to pause and look at who you’re “being.” As Deepak Chopra states, we’re human “beings” not human “doings.”
- Happiness and productivity stems from clarity. When you’re clear on who you’re being and what you’d like to experience, your action (i.e., what you’re doing) flows naturally from you and is more in alignment with your deepest desires.
- The result is you organically attract more opportunities you’d love to experience (versus chasing or forcing situations to get a result you want).
Learn more: Find out more about the importance of “being” versus “doing” in this newsletter that expands on how “Doing Isn’t Always the Answer.”
MEDITATE & PLAY
Meditating, reflecting, and playing puts you in a better mindset if something unexpected happens.
- Through meditation, you train your brain to be more focused and engaged in the moment.
- With reflection on your experiences, you further your learnings beyond just having the experience and you’re more likely to integrate the learnings at a deeper level so they stick with you.
- Playing reinforces your emotional well-being as dopamine is released leaving you feeling happier.
- So, all of these activities will help you remain calm if life throws you a curve ball. You’ll be less reactive and better able to respond in a way that yields better results.
Learn more: Read this funny little story about how the Dalai Lama uses meditation to help prepare for his busiest days when the unexpected might happen.
PLAN AHEAD
Planning ahead (including downtime for balance) -> Leads to getting more done
- You might have heard for every minute you spend planning, you save 10 minutes of execution. So, plan out your days and weeks. Make sure you build in recovery time daily.
- Plus, when you have a plan in place, you won’t feel overwhelmed by all that you have to do.
Learn more: Brian Tracy expands on this tip in his post Plan Ahead and Increase Productivity.
CONNECT WITH NATURE
Connecting with nature leaves you feeling more centered and present.
- Being outdoors and connecting with nature naturally and quickly calms you.
- Studies show that anxiety and stress actually decrease in nature or even if you have a view of nature.
- You can experience increased memory, restored mental energy, and sharper thinking.
Learn more: Check out this article 7 Reasons to Spend Mindful Time in Nature.
So, which practices will you follow to experience better results through the benefits of creativity, productivity, equanimity, joy, balance, and being centered?
A version of this post appeared originally on InnerBrilliance Coaching.
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