When was the last time you took a day just for yourself? If you're a small business owner or anyone else for that matter, you answer is probably never. I first learned the principal; of Extraordinary Self-care Day at a workshop given by my friend Terri Levine the author of Work Yourself Happy. Essentially an Extraordinary Self-care Day is taking one 24-hour period where you take care of yourself. You do no work at all. I know, I can hear your protest. I protested too when I first heard this idea "But you don't understand, I have to check my voicemail, I have to return phone calls, I have to answer my emails and on and on." I protested in my very best entrepreneurial voice. The truth is any of us can take a day for ourselves without consequence. Believe it or not, the world will keep spinning. Calls will wait as will email.
This is a day just for you. If you normally do the cooking on your Extraordinary Self-Care Day, you will refrain from making meals. Trust me your family will not starve. Obviously if there are small children or infants that depend on you, you would have to modify this. Overall try to do nothing that is related to your normal work. This is a pampering day just for you.
The first time I did this, I discovered just how my work relates to things that I do on any given day. Most of my reading was centered on business topics. Being an entrepreneur and self-employed, I was convinced I had to be working all the time. I was wrong. Kicking and screaming, I embarked on my Extraordinary Self-Care Day. I took a walk, read part of a novel, took a luxurious bath in our soaking tub (something I never used to do) and just hung out and took care of myself. What a concept!
It's been a year now and my Extraordinary Self-Care Day has become an integral part of my life. I not only feel better, and am having more fun, I have my life back. Doing this regularly has enabled me to put my work back into perspective. I no longer work seven days a week and I no longer do email throughout the day.
The interesting thing is that because of my taking this time to nurture myself, I'm actually more productive. Because I'm taking better care of myself I have more clarity and I'm able to better focus on the task on hand. Because I am taking better care of myself, I am more creative and productive. Most of all, because I am taking better care of myself, I feel better and have more happiness, after all isn't that what it's all about?
So your assignment, if you choose to accept it, is to schedule one 24-hour period, sometime within the next 10 days, when you can give yourself an Extraordinary Self-Care Day and then go and do it. Once you've done this, see how you might be able to do this weekly and when you feel really ready, schedule an Extraordinary Self-Care Day for what would have been a normal work day.
? 2004 Jim Donovan - PO Box 1147, Buckingham, PA 18912 - (215) 794-3826
Jim Donovan is the author of "Handbook to a Happier Life, a motivational speaker and coach. For a no cost bonus product & more, visit http://www.jimdonovan.com
If you had all the information and tools you needed to live your dream life, would you use them? Yes? Click here ==> http://www.jimdonovan.com
personalized cleaning services Mundelein ..Is your in-tray or inbox full? I don't normally check... Read More
A while back, I was in a minor fender-bender accident,... Read More
We all know what it's like coming home from a... Read More
One question that is not asked enough by people under... Read More
No this is not related to praying, this is how... Read More
Let's face it! The majority of our time is either... Read More
1. Determine your "unique ability" and capitalize on itDelegate the... Read More
In the fast-paced world that we live in today, it... Read More
As we celebrate yet another Labor Day, I thought it... Read More
Caring for a chronically ill loved one can be one... Read More
... Read More
Positive self-esteem is very important for our general health and... Read More
Stress is amazingly persistent, even seductive. We get used to... Read More
All stress comes from believing a thought that argues with... Read More
As small business owners, we often take on more than... Read More
Over the years I've collected scores of comics and cartoons... Read More
At what age does the benefit of play cease? Child... Read More
The fast pace of life is taking toll on every... Read More
My son was watching a Richard Scarry video this morning... Read More
There are many kinds of daily grinds. In the U.S.... Read More
Imagine going through your whole life in the constant fear... Read More
More than two-thirds of visits to doctors' surgeries are for... Read More
If you find symptoms of anxiety disorder in any of... Read More
Success in recovery, or rather, staying in recovery, is dependent... Read More
I have yet to see a scientist talk about the... Read More
one time home cleaning Buffalo Grove ..It was one of the first words you learned to... Read More
Most people know of the importance of exercise as a... Read More
If you have never tried combining your breathing exercises with... Read More
Make stress less of an issue for you in your... Read More
Punch a pillowScream into a pillowTurn on your favorite music... Read More
Do you worry all the time?Do the following symptoms bother... Read More
Of all the forms of stress in today's world, computer... Read More
This is a tool to measure the amount of stress... Read More
Have you been feeling so stressful and almost losing your... Read More
Understanding StressStress has been called "the invisible disease". It is... Read More
Everyday can be full of stress but we all deserve... Read More
For those who are suffering from stress, just about the... Read More
Training Your Mind For Better Business and LeisureModern life moves... Read More
Fear, and its accompanying seriousness, causes our suffering. Fear restricts... Read More
Ask a hundred different people how to deal with stress... Read More
We strive for excellence in our lives, going at full... Read More
Burt Reynolds revealed his vulnerable side when he realized he... Read More
When September rolls around, does it generally hit you like... Read More
Statistics tell us that more people have migraine headaches on... Read More
Don't wait to have a life-threatening disease to learn what... Read More
What do you think of when you see that word?... Read More
One of my favorite stories about change is the story... Read More
Today we have more stress in our lives than ever... Read More
So, you've recognised that you are suffering from stress and... Read More
Who hasn't experienced "worry" at one time or another? Almost... Read More
Stress Management |