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
scheduled cleaning services Winnetka ..As small business owners, we often take on more than... Read More
According to the Australian Council of Trade Unions' (A.C.T.U.) 1997... Read More
Everybody deals with fear and anxiety, however some people have... Read More
Feeling stressed? Who isn't!! In today's society, feeling "stressed out,"... Read More
There is good stress, and there is bad stress. Good... Read More
So, you've recognised that you are suffering from stress and... Read More
1. The Law of EveryoneIt is not neccessarily wrong to... Read More
Have you recently moved or started a new job? Do... Read More
Modern stress is habitual, and is something that the vast... Read More
But how can this happen to someone?Let's concentrate on how... Read More
Insomnia is usually the result of the modern way of... Read More
Don't let stress wear you down. Next time you are... Read More
Life is funny.Throughout the day, there are plenty of humorous... Read More
It is very true that, unfortunately, many people look to... Read More
It's summertime and chances are you can remember a summer... Read More
Stress ReliefStress is a big business in Western society. We... Read More
A grandfather, whose grandson came to him angry at a... Read More
1. The Law of GiftsRichard Bach, author of "Illusions" says... Read More
Marshal John Kruger acted by Arnold Schwarzenegger (who else) in... Read More
Statistics tell us that more people have migraine headaches on... Read More
If you suffer from insomnia of any kind, the chances... Read More
Workers across America will tell you that stresslevels are increasing.... Read More
When it is all said and done, do you feel... Read More
Take a moment to think about the week that just... Read More
Living in our world today can be very stressful. While... Read More
reliable maid service Lincolnshire ..Recently I completed some new workshop engagements in addition to... Read More
I had the unpleasant experience of being pulled over the... Read More
Stress is defined as a response by your body to... Read More
In his book, The 22 Non-Negotiable Laws of Wellness, author... Read More
The number one most popular issue that users of a... Read More
We function at our best when we are free from... Read More
Do you often overreact to situations? Are you a constant... Read More
Why Stress Management programmes don't work?It seems that every week... Read More
According to the StressPulse survey by ComPsych Corporation completed at... Read More
You can learn a lot by watching children playing. There... Read More
The right amount of stress can be good for you,... Read More
We've all experienced it-computerized technology that doesn't function properly. PCs... Read More
All people experience stress and anxiety in one form or... Read More
1. The Mentor Method: think of your favorite person. Someone... Read More
Traffic jams. Toddler tantrums. Deadlines at work. Money troubles. Too... Read More
So many of us live a stressful life. Unfortunately, when... Read More
How much attention is paid to one of the biggest... Read More
First, let's make a distinction between pressure and stress. We... Read More
Feeling stressed out lately? Don't worry, there is a simple... Read More
Life can offer us many challenges having to do with... Read More
Do you get frustrated with your spouse, your kids, your... Read More
To be a safe and predictable person for those around... Read More
Have you recently moved or started a new job? Do... Read More
Insomnia is usually the result of the modern way of... Read More
Statistics tell us that more people have migraine headaches on... Read More
Stress Management |