If you’re like me, you have a tendency to work your Gluteus Maximus off to make your business the best it can possibly be. If so, then I know how tired you are right now.
I can tell you that after doing an incredible amount of events back-to-back, I’M TIRED! If there is one thing I have come to understand, it’s that I can’t continuously give out, without recharging ME.
If I don’t have energy to give to you, I’m no good to you. And the truth is, if you don’t have the energy to give to me, you’re no good to me either!
That’s why I decided to take a few days and go back home to do…wait for it…nothing! Yep. I finished my last event in a run of events, and flew straight to Tahoe.
I got into Reno, walked off the plane, got my bags, headed out the doors, and took one HUGE breath. I can’t tell you how incredible it is for me to fill my lungs up with that air. And it was even better when I got to Tahoe.
Over the next few days, I enjoyed coffee at the Coffee Bar in Truckee, had a killer workout, took a stretching class to try and work out some of my insanely tight muscles, had some incredible meals, and spent the rest of the time staring at the beauty in front of me.
And I praised God for sending me snow. Okay, maybe it wasn’t JUST for me, but I received it BIG time. I also answered an extremely small amount of emails or texts (sorry team!). Which is why I now have 500 to go through.
And while I believe I need more than just two days of this, I feel more rejuvenated than I have in a long time.
Why am I telling you about this trip? Because I’m pretty sure most of you are overdue for a trip just like this. Or doing something that regenerates YOU.
It’s the old bank analogy right? You can only take withdrawals if you have plenty of deposits. If you’re not putting deposits in your bank, you’re no good to me, your customers, your team, and mostly your family.
So it’s time! I want you to write down the top four things that absolutely regenerate you right now. Then I want you to pull out your calendar and book some of those things!
For me, spending time in Tahoe is on the top of my list, then alone time doing something relaxing, and cooking up a storm.
If I get some of those in, I can be a much better me. If not, I’m just a drained and empty version of the guy who’s supposed to be helping people.
Don’t be that person! It seems selfish to take time for you, but I promise, everyone around you will be much happier that you did.
Question: What refuels you?
Resources:
Are You Positioning Yourself to Lead?
I’ve been dealing with the same thing myself and took Saturday off to rest. It was only one day, but I feel so much better and am ready for the week. It’s hard to take that time off when the to-do list is screaming at me, but I know I’ll be more productive later when I get back to work. Great post!
So true Deborah! It’s tough for us to realize that NOT taking the day makes us less productive. I’m so glad you did!
LOVE Tahoe and Truckee – had a chance to go there this May for the first time. Stayed at Incline Village; simply beautiful. What an awesome place to recharge. Hiked to an overlook, alone, on the next to last day and soaked it all in…Ahhh!
My 4 rechargers:
1. Time in the Word; journaling
2. Date night away with my wife
3. Playing guitar
4. Triathlon training (odd I know, but it’s great mentally and keeps me fit)
Great engaging post Chris! Love it!
It’s crazy how much it changes you inside! Thanks Matt
my husband I were just discussing this. Good question! I’ve been running my storefront for 10 years without a break, except work-related trips. they used to refuel me. now I don’t know. where do I start to figure out what I need?
That’s a great question. I may not know the answer.
But what would you do if you could do anything? If ALL your work stuff, house chores, etc. were all done, what would you turn to?
This blog post reminded me of Michael Hyatt’s Life Plan ebook. Great stuff Chris! Reading your blog and listening to your podcasts helps me rejuvenate.
“What would you do if you could do anything?” Thank you Carpet Cleaner – that really helped me as I thought about this question.
The best thing to do Lea-Ann is write down the things that refuel you the most. It could be something as simple as reading books. Cooking is a big one for me.
I generally don’t get a lot of sleep, so when I get a chance to sleep a little extra (some Saturdays, holidays, etc.) it helps to re-energize me. My time in the Bible definitely helps me to focus and have the mental/spiritual strength to keep going. Time with my family reminds me about why I’m doing what I’m doing.
I’m so with you there! Sleep and the Bible, what a great combination.
We all know logicallty we should do this but it’s interesting to realize what gets in our way. Going through the LifePlan process with Chris helped me realize how I’ve sort of sabotaged my ability to replinish. It’s not just knowing what replinishes you and actually doing it, there’s usually baggage we carry that prevents us from acting that we must deal with. Once you do, you can get into a rhythm of replinishment that can be maintained going forward.
Amen brother! And I need you replenished! 😀
Needed this hard not to push way too hard when you want to help so many people. We are like a river though if we go dry we have nothing to pour out. What refuels me…time alone with God, date night with my wife, hunting, fishing, running. I need to be more proactive with all of them.
And hey, if you can combine them, you’re way refueled! Take your wife on a date night of hunting while running. BAM!!!
Too much?
Now that’s coaching. We could hunt bear then run from them.
Running, being outside, climbing frozen waterfalls.
Brilliant and timely; just took my staycation last week! It’s amazing how much “real stuff” (my “real” fuel being working out, catching up on errands, cleaning and my part time wellness business) you can get done in a day when you plan time to NOT go into the office… Thank you! 🙂
36 hours ALONE at the lake house watching osprey hunt, deer tip-toe around and tons of birds migrating ahead of the on-coming cold snap. AHHHHHHH…… Between work, volunteering and aging parents, I needed to recharge. Thankful my special place is only an hour away and no need for reservations! You’re right–totally necessary to refuel.
Great reminder and love your honesty Chris. AGREE that everyone around is much happier when we are fresh and energized.
For me, it is working out and spending time with the family. Lots of time with the family lately, but not making an effort for training. Pondering on taking the plunge and starting to train for Ironman 2015 – I am back to not being able to run 2 blocks. I feel closest to God when I am out biking on a non windy, non hilly course on a summer morning. Energizing to have a goal to shoot for that is physically challenging.
Keep up the great work as well as the refills on your energy tank!
Jen
Amen! Love you speaking the truth Chris…in the short term, I have began taking a backpack with a change of clothes and my weighted vest to work. I put my iphone on a 30 minute timer, and head out for a jog (I also put my phone in airplane mode so for 30 minutes I don’t hear emails , texts or phone calls coming in).
When I jog is the time when my head becomes the most clear and I am able to talk with God very openly …true mediation.
I am trying to get into more of a routine doing this as it increases my productivity on every level , and gives me time with God. Since I can’t even take a. 5 minute lunch break, this forces me to take a full 30 minutes!