Sunday Newsletter - Have a Relaxing Sunday - Advantages of Down Time

Sunday Newsletter 

Hello Friends,

Happy Relaxing Sunday!

I hope you found some time to relax over Easter Holiday season. 

I have been here with my son and had some wonderful evenings of good food, good company, just chilling and catching up. 

How about you? How has your week been? 

Today...

Right now, it’s blustery and stormy in the forest, though we have seen a spot of sunshine this morning. I have a lovely mug of coffee – back to the Taylor's After Dinner blend, one of my favourites. 

Why not grab yourself a beverage and join me in my Sunday catch-up?..

Do you ever feel there’s not enough time in the day? Are you a bit of a self-confessed ‘busy bee’, constantly on the go and doing?

I know I have been, and time with my son really reminds me of the magic of taking time out to spend with others and to rejuvenate. 

If you’re able to switch of your devices and really embrace being present, that’s such a gift to yourself and others.

This week’s Business Boost is all about taking time out… 

This Weeks Business Boost 

Down-Time Is Crucial for Success 

As entrepreneurs, we’re very driven! Whether we’ve just launched our business and we’re desperate to eke out a living, or we’re seasoned old hands, we tend to work long hours with little time or attention to anything else. So the thought of taking down-time may freak us out. And this doesn’t just apply to entrepreneurs in this age of doing and short attention spans. 

What Is Down-Time? 

Down-time is the discipline of getting the rest and sleep we need to be able to function optimally. Taking down-time also involves stepping away from our work to engage in a hobby, exercise, or relaxation.  

Because it’s a discipline, each person needs to figure out how often and how much down-time to take. This may include:  

·      mini breaks during the day,  

·      two or more lengthier weekly outings,  

·      and at least one day a week on which we set our work aside completely (mine’s Saturday). 

Dangers of Not Taking Down-Time 

Taking down-time may seem like a catch-22 situation. You may be slammed with work and you feel like taking time away will only get you further behind. And, admittedly, we’re sometimes caught against looming deadlines or family priorities, childcare, etc.  

Also, some of us reading this are intensely competitive. Whether we’re competing against ourselves or someone else, we may associate taking down-time with capitulation or failure. 

Following are some dangers of not taking down-time: 

1. Physical burnout.  

No one can run a marathon day-in and day-out. We need rest and relaxation. When we’re solely focused on work, we tend to neglect getting enough sleep, eating right, and exercising. All that’s a recipe for sluggish work and the likelihood of getting sick. 

2. Emotional stress.  

The old adage goes, “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.” When all we do is work, we find ourselves becoming stressed. And in a stressed condition, we become short with people and our relationships suffer. 

Stress also damages our physical health and kills creativity. 

3. Decreased productivity.  

Under pressure, we may feel like there’s no way we can work down-time into our hectic schedule. But failure to do so is likely to diminish our ability to produce. It’s like trying to drive a car that’s in dire need of a tune-up. It can’t function properly, and neither can we.  

Those are some of the dangers of not taking down-time, so let’s look at the gains: 

Benefits of Taking Down-Time:  

1. Recharges, re-energizes and motivates!  

After being cooped up at a desk all day, there’s nothing like a brisk hike or walk in nature to clear one’s mind and recharge one’s batteries. I am lucky enough to have two dogs who remind me of this twice per day. 

We come back to our work feeling ready to tackle its challenges. 

2. Stimulates creativity.  

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been stuck trying to problem-solve. Then, I decide to walk away from the problem for an hour or two for some exercise, play with the dogs or to engage in a hobby (even reading a fiction novel).  

Often, while I’m not thinking about it, the solution to the problem just pops into my mind. Or I come back to work feeling refreshed and the idea comes then. 

Different surroundings, varied experiences, interaction with others, and incubation time are often crucial elements for generating creativity. I often take myself off to a local coffee shop and when I do the inspiration flows. 

Taking down-time can be just what we need to give us that boost. 

3. Increases productivity.  

Taking time away from work increases our productivity. Refusal to leave the workstation until the project is finished may seem like a good idea but it may cause us to disengage from our work and get bored with it. 

We may even get sloppy, just to be able to say we’ve finished. It’s much better to step away from work for a while and come back energized. 

4. Improves decision-making.  

A well-documented phenomenon called “decision-fatigue” sets in when we’re required to make decisions continually without taking breaks. We make better decisions when we’re well-rested and not under so much pressure. 

Taking down-time is a necessary discipline for staying alert, productive, healthy, and creative. These mini-vacations from work can be fun and energizing. 

So, what is your strategy for getting down-time into your workday and into your life?  

Choosing Happy Podcast Update 

It’s the 62^nd Episode of the Podcast tomorrow, and I am dedicating this episode to 3 things you can do to maintain happiness –  

Look out for that tomorrow – 8^th April 2024. 

All previous episodes are available…
You can listen on your favourite podcast host or on the website at www.choosinghappypodcast.com  

Also before I go, 2 quick things: 

#1 – We’re in strange and chaotic times. I will be hosting a ‘Navigating the Shifts’ webinar on Tuesday 16^th April 2024 at 7.30 pm (BST). If you would like more details just hit reply and type the word interested and I will send you the details when I have them (it’s an idea in progress). 

#2 – I am also putting the finishing touches to a new 1 Year Mastermind program for those interested in breaking through their blocks, having access to training, guest experts, peer mentoring, community and accountability for success in disruptive and unusual times.
Again, drop me an email if you’d like to have advance notification. 

That's it for this week! 

May love, peace and healing surround you. May your families and friends be safe in these times. 

The coffee and a chat offer still stands, I am only an email away. 

I wish you the skills to navigate what may be a rocky time ahead. And hope you have a week blessed with opened hearted compassion vibes, joy filled days, good health, prosperity, grace and ease!  

Heather 

Heather V Masters 

Chief Coach, Trainer and Facilitator of Magic 

Taking Your Business Online and Choosing Happy Podcast  

Email: [email protected] or [email protected] 

P.S. Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you: 

#1: I just launched a new Coffee and Catchup Live on my YouTube and Rumble Channels (Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning – 11 am – live). I'm putting a ton of energy into creating heaps of valuable live content that I think you'll like. It’s my aim to create a healthy habit of live content that serves you. Come check out my channel, and give me a like and subscribe.  

#2: Strategy Calls 

As entrepreneurs, sometimes we just need an hour with another like-minded person to figure out what to focus on next. And to keep it simple. And to identify our next, impactful, action steps.  

Sometimes you’re too close to figure that out for yourself. 

How often do you take time out to move away from the doing in your business, and focus on the big picture, reviewing the dream and getting to the nitty gritty stuff that niggles you every day? 

In the 1-1 strategy sessions I help you cut through the fog and get crystal clear on your next steps toward next level results - more clients, more sales, more effective marketing, tech clarity and simplicity – whatever it is for you. 

If you are interested, drop me a message and I will send you full details and how to apply. 

#3: Follow me on LinkedIn for more Tech, strategy, systems, marketing tips, and happiness-building. 

P.P.S.  

If you have something you want to ask, drop me an email and Iet's get your questions answered. 

Email: [email protected]