Sometimes you have to “quite while you’re ahead”… I can hear the naysayers already, “you got to grind”. As a mechanic, there is one thing I know for a fact, when an engine reaches the point of “grinding”, it never ends well.
So too, if we don’t keep tabs on the wear of our bodies, and reach the point of “grind”, it will cost us a ton… Burn out!
The Hype Before The Crash
It’s amazing how awesome we feel when we’re in flow; that point when we’re working almost on autopilot and everything seems to be falling in place. The dopamine rush I get as I achieve each task, is nothing short of addictive.
Then something happens, each task seems to become a bit more challenging, we start to question decisions, then start to become a bit frustrated, and in some cases irritated. This is a warning sign… it’s time to step back, take a breather, but we need to get the task done now…
We Are Expendable!
I know this may seem a bit negative, but the reality is that regardless of how hard we work, how much effort we put into creating our “legacies”, it all comes to an end… Then someone else WILL fill our shoes. At the end of the day, sad to say, to most people, our expertises cost “a dime a dozen”. Is that really how you want your life to be valued?
Know When To Walk Away And When To Run.
In some instances, we have be aware of when we need to “sharpen the saw”, or at other times we just have to call it quits.
Life is short, and whether you are building a business or currently employed, you need to take the time to “smell the roses”, so to speak. This may take the form of a hobby, exploration, or just hanging out with friends, family or by yourself…
One Size Does NOT Fit All!
Do whatever works best for you. In my case these activities vary from time to time; from painting, to hiking, site seeing, meditation, video production, etc.
At the end of the day, it’s not necessarily the activity that counts, but the little break from the extended period of focus in which you were engaged. Participating in fun, productive activities may also reward you in more what than just peace of mind.
A New Perspective
After stepping away from a project for a little while, the clarity with which we can now view it is amazing. With this renewed vigor, and vision, we are now ready for another round of awesomeness.
Why don’t you give it a try? You may actually like it!