A few years ago, one of my business coaches, Mark LeBlanc, gave me a piece of advice as I was creating my strategic business plan: Always have something you’re really looking forward to on your calendar, even if it’s months (or even years) away. He contended it would help to balance my energy on the days when life and work schedules got tough. He was so right!
Since then, I’ve always had something to look forward to on my calendar—my annual girl’s weekend, a quarterly adventure or road trip with my husband, a massage, or even a “home alone” weekend. And just as he suggested, it has been a huge help in shifting and protecting my state of mind to see those dates marked off and waiting for me in the near or far future when my work schedule gets overwhelming.
This week is one of those times. I’ve had 5 days marked off since last fall to join a couple of girlfriends for some rest and relaxation at a family condo in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico—no big outings, no guided tours, no grand adventures, just coffee at sunrise, lunch at a café, wine (or maybe a margarita) at sunset, walks on the beach, and some fill-the-bucket girlfriend time.
So, my advice in the Monday Morning Stretch this week is simply this: What are we working so hard for? For most of us, it’s to build a life of freedom and one that we truly enjoy. So, let’s enjoy it. Be purposeful about it. Get it on the calendar, whether it’s time at home, on vacation, with friends or just solo by yourself. Making and taking time to enjoy life is as important as working hard, and no one is going to do it for you.
When you treat yourself to time off and plan for things you really enjoy, it brings balance to the hard work you put in and the energy it takes to achieve your goals.
This week, your only assignment is to get one or two things on your calendar, no matter how far out and no matter how simple they might be, that you can look forward to on your busiest days. It will make a difference. And remember, as soon as you’ve done it, put the next one on the calendar. Heck, map out the whole year with your fun so you don’t look up one day and say, “What was all that hard work actually for?”
Cheers to having more fun!
“Having fun is not a diversion from a successful life; it is the pathway to it.”
~ Tony Robbins
