Take Time Off for Good Behavior

I caught up with my sister over the weekend which was great. She’s a very hard working mom with three boys that spread the age range of kindergarten to college. It’s managed chaos at best with the varied issues, needs, and hormonal craziness. I know that she’s not alone. We all get so caught up in the rat-race of life whether it’s kids, family, careers, commitments, money worries, self-obsessive hobbies, staying connected constantly, keeping up, and keeping pace.

Unbottle Your Crazy!

I’m going to get up on my soap box now and say to everyone … you have got to take time out for yourself! You have to make you a priority. If you don’t … you will implode one day. You’ve got to “unbottle your crazy” — which means you need to release frustrations, find healthy outlets, get away, you need to get re-centered, find balance in your life, and make you a priority. If you can consciously do this you will be much better off. Because let’s face it, when you hit the breaking point you are no good to anyone … least of all yourself. We all need balance.

Take Time Off (’cause you need it!)

My conversation with her reminded me of a wonderful book that a dear friend gave to me as I was leaving the big corporate world for my “sabbatical” if you will. The book is Time Off for Good Behavior: How Hardworking Women Can Take a Break and Change Their Lives by Mary Lou Quinlan. It’s a wonderful thought-provoking book about empowering, spirited women who’ve hit the point where they finally take time off for themselves. Whether it be forced time off due to a lay off, or planned time off to have kids or start a new life venture … it’s about maximizing the moments!

I can relate because she was a high-powered advertising executive (but in a whole different stratosphere than my ad world).

Here’s a brief excerpt:

“Have you ever promised, “someday I’ll take some time for myself?” But someday never seems to come? Welcome to the story of women who dared to say “enough” and who took the break that changed their overworked lives. In Time Off for Good Behavior Mary Lou Quinlan tells her own story and those of nearly 40 other women who hit the moment of truth and gave themselves permission to step away and create happier, more satisfying lives.”

Find Your Ah-ha Moments

While the book talks about longer breaks and time off that translated into some pretty monumental life changes for these women, the underlying premise is taking time off. Whether it’s a few brief moments at the end of your day, or an entire day, month or year — taking time off and time out of our day is critical and we all need it. Find Balance. Time off brings peace to the mind, which then provides clarity when all the chaos of the day is not running through it. With clarity we can then begin to prioritize our goals, desires and dreams, and begin to re-orchestrate our lives in order to find balance that we are missing. And then ultimately we are able to enjoy inspired living — the pursuit of things that excite and inspire us versus simply living the monotony of the day.

Just today I was again reminded of that importance. Time off. Simplification. Remembering to breathe big deep calming breaths. As a self-proclaimed over-achiever I’m constantly over committing, volunteering, serving on boards, and busy with a full time job and pursuing my dream with this site. Trying to fit it all in to the brink of insanity. We do it to ourselves. Over commit and lose ourselves.

Today I sat. And watched a beautiful sunset. It was nice. That was my ah-ha moment for the day.

Even if just for a few moments … sneak away to a quiet place today. Just you … alone … take and few deep breaths, close your eyes and take a well deserved break.

Aaahh!

I strongly recommend this amazing and inspiring read!