Did I let it go?
I've just had two weeks’ holiday and for 12 days enjoyed the magic of New Zealand's South Island. I had loads of fresh air and a little more exercise than normal. I'd like to say I unplugged from the internet and social media - no I just upped Instagram and ignored Twitter - that was enough of a change for me. Plus I had the chance to just sit and read - a lot.
Before my leave started I did wonder - will I be able to let work go? Recently I took just one day off - and I have to admit it was hard to let go. All that talk about giving control and leadership - I have to be honest I'm working through this stuff as much as the next person and I find it tough. I want to do a good job and feel competent. I don't want to let people down. The list could go on. All the reasons you can't get to sleep or wake up at night.
Our rest and time away from work are crucial for our well-being and functioning - to be our best selves. This great article looks at why we push ourselves too hard and discusses some of the ways to manage this.
I've written over the last couple of weeks about how you can help set yourself up for a good night's sleep. Then I looked at what you can do in the morning to set yourself up for the day - and I confessed in my morning playlist - Let it Go - what has happened is in the past.
It's the end of the day now and time for home. I have to confess to being an 'overthinker' and that is why the concept of chewing the cud was so powerful for me. This article from Forbes has 6 ways to help you stop overthinking.
The advice here from HBR is about how to forget about work when you are not working. Or this article which advises how you can treat your weekend like a vacation.
What then about holidays? This article points out that increased productivity comes after taking time off and reminds us that the idea of long working hours and staying glued to your desk does not mean increased output. While not an idea that can be readily replicated in the healthcare setting, listen to this TED talk on how a company closes for a whole year - every seven years.
So yes, I let it go during my holiday. It took some time to unwind and relax from the first four weeks on a new job. My headspace and perspective have changed and I'm back at work ready and raring to go.
Managing your time at work, caring for yourself and being able to switch off from work are some of the common habits and goals that I work with in my one-on-one coaching and mentoring packages. It’s work that’s forever evolving, very personal and something I have a lot of experience in getting wrong, trying again and creating ways to make progress. If you too want help working out what would work for you, then set up a virtual coffee with me to talk more.
