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I have a tendency to work too much when I’m involved with projects that I enjoy. I love consulting, building websites, writing, blogging, creating products, and a little bit of everything else, but the problem isn’t that I love work (who could ask for more?) but that sometimes I let it consume me. When you are knee deep in client work, it can be easy to lose track of the big picture. You stop taking breaks in an effort to get more done and in the end, you get burned out and lose your drive, purpose, and motivation.
You can feel it coming long before it hits you, but we often push it aside thinking that if we can finish just “one more” task, then we will be OK. Of course, you get in a rhythm and stopping is not only an afterthought, but a scary one at that. If you want to have long-term success as an entrepreneur, you will need to change that thought process.
I believe that everyone needs a release mechanism to help them avoid this cycle so they can refresh their mind and body before, during, and after long sessions of entrepreneurial work. Even if you love what you do, the process of grinding out work all day long can wear you out. This includes spending time on Twitter, responding to messages on Facebook, and commenting on blogs. Any act of engaging with others can be considered work because you aren’t in a state of natural rest.
So what does it mean to be at rest? I’m not asking you to sleep all day, rather I’m simply asking you to let your mind have a break from time to time. Even better, find a way to engage your body in order to energize your mind. I call this a release mechanism because it helps you reboot your mental process in order to come back with a more refreshed and well-balanced state.
My release mechanism is running, but I also go cycling and swimming to prepare for Triathlons. Some people enjoy Yoga, while others spend 30-60 minutes per day in meditation. If you like using weights, hit the gym and burn out your arms or legs. I know it sounds crazy, but spending time to exhaust your physical body can help you energize your mind.
Even though I encourage some type of physical activity be implemented in your weekly routine, release mechanisms don’t have to be physical. The simple act of writing in a journal can help you unload a heavy burden in your mind. Sipping coffee and listening to classical music with headphones on can be a great way to refresh the senses.
The bottom line is that regardless of what you like to do for fun, and what type of fun you like to do for work, you need to make sure that there is balance in your life. If you find yourself slipping into a workaholic frenzy, gently remind yourself to release some tension via an activity enjoyable to you. It feels good to get things done and cross another project off the list, but the price paid for a life of doing nothing but can be much more damaging then taking time to energize yourself.
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