Our fearless leader, Rich, has taken some much deserved R & R to celebrate his birthday and asked me to provide the TOTW thread. So, inspired by his example, I thought I’d ask, do you make sure you schedule R & R? How do you make sure you accomplish this? Or, do you not…..because????What has been the most efficient way you have found to achieve R & R? Are you regular or erratic with your relaxation? 

@deairby How dare @rich-brooks take some R & R! (just kidding)

Achieving balance is extremely difficult, but really necessary. Having a great VA and a plan is critical to scheduling R&R–and sometimes it’s needed for professional or self-development!

We tend to drive ourselves and ignore relaxation and exercise. I walk the dog at least once or twice a day, which helps, and have really focused on birthdays, anniversaries and spending one day a weekend as play time.  As I approach a scheduled time away, I might sacrifice a bit of that immediately before or after, but must take the time. My marriage needs it and so do I.

When it looks impossible, I look at my plans and adjust–am I doing too much at one time? Do I need to outsource more ($$)

That’s all I got…but sadly, I found that was the same when I worked in the corporate world. At least now, it’s really about me and not someone else’s expectations.

My first 15 years in business I worked way too much;  not taking time for friends and family.  My hard driving, self-centered, perfectionist attitude, took a toll on my relationships and my health.  It took a life changing event for me to put my priorities straight.  Much of the financial gains of that time have gone into regaining my health.  Sufficient R & R is crucial for good health and healthy relationships.  I’m fortunate that now R & R is my default, and when I have to work, I schedule it.  And I no longer live having to fix everything.  If I can’t accept it, I change it.  If I can’t change it, I accept it, and move on.

@rich-brooks I wish everything could be set to appear offline! Then we could work (or lurk) in peace…

I think R & R is crucial to one’s business health as well as personal. Today, I took my dinged black lacquered ’94 Celica GT out on an off road adventure that stopped often to snap a frame or 2 except places like the abandoned home where I snapped a bunch of stills. I also hiked a trail on foot shooting tons of shots. I so enjoyed the wild air and lack of other people. As a fiction writer, it occurred to me that these grounds might be considered prime hunting territory by somebody. Isolated small groups of people encountered would make easy prey. Anyway…

I feel refreshed now.