I wrote an article two weeks ago about why entrepreneurs don’t want to get out bed. The response was overwhelming and to be honest it was really good to realise that I am not alone. Even people who have built huge businesses and you would define as fearless sent me messages on how they related to it. It got me thinking a bit more about this phenomenon which seems to be very common and has prompted this next line of thought.
Do we take time to fill the cup?
This is not just about entrepreneurs but everybody. Maybe we get overwhelmed, tired, frustrated with work or life because we are constantly on the go. Going round in circles like cars that are permanently on empty. Do we even know how and what it means to actually refuel? Do we also ever give ourselves permission to stop? When we define growth as bigger, better, faster, busier, more things… we are unlikely to ever hit the pause button enough to refresh ourselves. Why? There is always more to conquer. More money to make, a bigger title at work, more responsibilities, higher school fees, a better house, office etc. We never quite catch up to this ideal place. We try to accumulate enough before that magic age called retirement when we think we will get to enjoy all we have been working for nonstop.
I don’t go into the office on Mondays!
It started a few years back because I found myself working on Saturdays, but it has pretty much become the norm now. I just also realised I needed a quiet day before really getting into the week. At first I felt guilty about it because I have been conditioned my entire life to work on Monday. Even school starts on Monday. I probably spent a year just getting comfortable with it. I would still go for meetings, respond to emails, take calls etc. because I felt the world would collapse if I was not available.
There are some things I have still had to do on Mondays but it turns out most of the meetings, phone calls, assignments still work if done on Tuesday or any other day of the week. I may not have realized it then, but the Monday was my way of filling the cup. If I spend it well and relatively uninterrupted doing things like praying, thinking, resting, writing, I can tell that I have more energy and even ideas for the week ahead. I am actually more productive. The meeting that I would have had on Monday goes even better on Tuesday. If I don’t spend it well for example if I find myself in the supermarket doing house shopping, my energy levels are not the same.
Now, society will not give you permission to always do what you need to do.
There is someone who told me I really must have “made it’ if I don’t go to work on Monday. According to him, you only do these things if you are wildly successful. Says who? When did it become a privilege of only the wealthy to take time out to think? The main problem is we don’t give ourselves permission to do so.
So it may not be Monday for you, but what will revive and refresh you? What will give you the emotional and mental energy to do life? Be really honest and don’t box yourself into what sounds right. I have a friend who recently negotiated a four-day work week by focusing on productivity not time in the office. There are those who leave work early or come later. Others it’s an hour a day alone.
Depending on what works for you some of this could be with other people e.g. book clubs, bible study, courses etc.
How do you fill your cup?
This time has to be spent doing what we don’t ordinarily do. It’s not about being away physically from the office but responding to emails or sorting out your kids. The more responsibilities at work and home you have, the more you need to refill your cup. I say this especially for women who all go home to a second job or rather business called the ‘household’. It is not at all selfish to figure out and do what works for you. When your cup is full, you are able to help others fill theirs whether it’s at home, work, business, church and the list goes on.
Success is not just about bigger and more. I’ve learnt you won’t stop feeling tired, overwhelmed, stressed by being busier. How about we also start defining success as a different way of doing things. Something new, creative, innovative, you name it… You can’t do something different by playing the game the same way. Learn to unplug and challenge what you thought was normal. Fill your cup.
Waceke runs programs on Entrepreneurship, Personal Finance & Career Growth with registration currently open and ongoing through our website centonomy.com For more information get in touch with her through waceken@centonomy.com /Facebook-Waceke Nduati /Tweet @cekenduati