Just relax, will ya?

This past weekend, I felt immense guilt for sitting around and chillaxing (as I like to call it), which may or may not have involved watching Hallmark movies…but probably not.

I realize that as business owners or busy professionals we feel like we always have to go, go, go. What my epiphany was this weekend, after I texted multiple people to let them know I am lazy and sitting around (I needed validation that it was ok), is that it is OK to not do ANYTHING.

I mean, why do we feel this immense sense of guilt for allowing ourselves a day to not work, or think about work? We are of no use to our staff, clients or colleagues if we are burned out and on edge.

Here is why you need to allow yourself a day to not shower, brush your teeth, or put on real clothes:

1. Attitude. Fact is at some point your going to be a dick if you are sleep-deprived and over-worked. Guess who that effects? Everyone. Probably doesn’t do a lot for staff morale when you are snapping at them or locking yourself in your office to avoid human interaction.
2. Health. Sitting around all day might seem the opposite of healthy, but it isn’t just physical health we need to think of. You need to focus on your mental health and emotional wellbeing to actually be a contributing member of society. If you are so rundown and tired that you can’t even come up with the word “brussel sprouts” (this may or may not have happened to me the other day), then how are you going to add value to a client account? I bet brainstorming sessions would be super creative.
3. Balance. According to ABC News, Americans work more than anyone in the industrialized world. Oh…and Americans take less vacation, work longer days, and retire later, too. Man, we are fun. Here is the deal, most of us have families, some of us have kids, dogs, dolls…or whatever. I think balance is bullshit – there is no clear line between professional and personal anymore, but we do need to allow ourselves to unplug, enjoy people we like (maybe those are your kids) and give ourselves 24 hours to do NOTHING.

I don’t often say this, but maybe you need to turn off your electronic devices and knit, play Yahtzee or just drink a bottle of wine.

My point in all of this, is if you can’t be selfish enough to take time for yourself then you are useless to everyone else.