Burnout, overwhelm, exhaustion, chaos…these are all words I hear on a regular basis. There’s much buzz these days about slowing down and relaxing more, but you know me, I’m going to challenge this notion with a different perspective.
We live in a culture that prides itself on “the grind”, putting in long hours, eating on the fly, getting to bed late, rising early and doing it all over again. Yet, it seems like so many people struggle to maintain their health, feel burned out, aren’t achieving their goals, fight to make ends meet, etc. We are so incredibly busy yet so unproductive at the same time. Maybe you need a break, but maybe you also would benefit from working smarter and not harder. Here are a few ideas.
𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 – 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘆!
We often hear that we should slow down, take it easy, and relax more. While there’s value in unwinding, constantly slowing down can lead to complacency and missed opportunities. 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴—𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.
𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘀 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻:
1. 𝗠𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹:
Time is our most valuable resource. By being intentional with how we spend it, we can achieve more, learn more, and grow more (and spoiler alert…relax more). Slowing down indiscriminately can rob us of the chance to reach our full potential. Aim to live each day purposefully, setting clear goals and working towards them with determination.
2. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗽𝘀:
Multitasking is often hailed as a productivity booster, but it scatters our focus and dilutes our efforts. 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗷𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗹𝘆, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲. This approach not only enhances the quality of your work but also provides a sense of accomplishment and clarity. Be the tortoise because we all know he beats the hare.
3. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗞𝗲𝘆:
Relaxation has its place, but it should be intentional and rejuvenating, not a default state. Schedule your downtime just like you would any other important activity. When you relax with purpose, you recharge more effectively, preparing yourself to tackle your goals with renewed energy.
4. 𝗕𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱:
Living intentionally means being fully present in whatever you do, whether it’s work, a hobby, or time with loved ones. This level of engagement enriches your experiences and strengthens your relationships. It’s about quality over quantity—doing fewer things with greater depth and involvement.
𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝗤𝘂𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲…!
Instead of buying into the idea that we must slow down constantly, let’s embrace a mindset of intentionality and focus. We can lead more fulfilling, productive lives by prioritizing our tasks, finishing what we start, and engaging deeply in our activities.
Remember, it’s not about doing less; it’s about doing what truly matters with passion and purpose. Let’s make every moment count!
***For those of you out there grinding and killing it, this message isn’t for you. Keep it up and hey…slow down once in a while***
#HoldTheStandard, friends
Coach Derek
