Do You Have a Release Mechanism?

Nathan — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:54:53 +0000

Courtesy of ConoTube

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.

Do You Have a Release Mechanism? is a post from: Nathan Hangen

Does Your Daily Task List Look Like This?

Nathan — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:40:41 +0000

I spend a lot of time tasking the little time I have so that I can accomplish as much as possible throughout each day and every week. Part of the reason I do this is because I’m a goal orientated person, but the rest is because like you, I don’t have a lot of time to work with. If I don’t stay on task, then I fail.

Many of my readers have a busy schedule as well and the task of trying to balance the day job, entrepreneurial work, and fun, can be an exhausting assignment. I’ve got more than my fair share of hobbies and interests, so my days are usually made up of way too much work and far too little play.

Here’s an example:

Do something inspiring (for both my family and my business)
Run/Bike/Swim (Triathlon Training)
Blog on one of my many websites
Answer customer service emails/requests
Analyze current week’s sales for my products and affiliate promotions
Finish consulting tasks
Deliver content to clients
Relax

Does your task list look anything like this? If it does, let me ask you…how often do you get to that last part? I can tell you that very rarely do I, and if my experience is any indication of yours, then we both need to relax more often. I don’t mean just sit down and watch a movie or TV; I mean sit down and just CHILL.

The thing about relaxing is that it helps your mind reboot so that you can work more efficiently down the road. If you don’t give yourself this time then you will eventually burn out, at which point everything will suffer.

Spend some time just talking, hanging out with friends, reading a book, or meditation and reward yourself with something for all of your hard work. Isn’t the goal of building a business so that we can have more time to do the things we enjoy?

It is very easy to get into a pattern of becoming a workaholic, especially if you are trying to build a business so that you can retire early, quit your job, or travel the world. I understand that there are a lot of projects you have to finish and tasks you have to organize, but just make sure that you keep a balanced perspective. I know I have no room to talk, but I plan on fixing that. Life passes us by too quickly not to take time out to enjoy it.

What do you think?

Does Your Daily Task List Look Like This? is a post from: Nathan Hangen

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Do You Have a Release Mechanism?

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