Having managed many salespeople in my career, one common trait I found amongst just about all of them was the ability to ramp up the intensity level when necessary. Those with a “hunter mentality” would become hyper focused to convert that prospect or exceed their goal. With consistent success a “sales zone” can be created where confidence increases and the selling process seems easy.
On the other side, I have seen those who feel lost in the desert, thirsting for any opportunity to present itself. Struggling just to keep going, they operate out of a sense of fear and even desperation. They chase after anything that might quench their thirst, but find it hard to focus.
As a salesperson, I have been in both of these worlds. In times of plenty or scarcity, sometimes you can intentionally neglect the need to take a break and may even experience a level of self-reproach. Apprehensive to disrupt the forward momentum or scared to rest because of a lack of results can add a layer of guilt to stepping away for much needed personal time.
Whether feast or famine, guilt free planned (and structured) breaks from work can sustain the abundance or plant the seeds of Growth. There is power in embracing and owning conscience-clear personal time.
I talk a lot about being proactive in my book, The Time-Optimized Life (download chapter 1 for free). Too many people react to circumstances around them and lack the planning necessary to push back when others demand their time.
Therefore, don’t just make a to-do list; assign time blocks to each task. This creates a visible structure to your day, making it easier to see when you’ve accomplished what you need to. This reduces the feeling of constant unfinished work looming over your head. Allocating your time helps you clear the deck to remove the shame of planning work free time.
he goal of the WLB report is to assist you to identify or affirm your position on your professional and personal approach to life. This is done by answering 10 questions about your work/life balance in three categories.
– Professional: the demands your career is having on your time right now.
– Mental: the effect of your occupation on your psychological state of mind.
– Physical: the impact that your job is having on the Health of your body.
You’ll receive a custom report back helping you plan a strategy to bring better balance.
I am a big fan of Cal Newport’s book Deep Work. As he notes, “Deep work is an activity that generates a sense of meaning and fulfillment in your professional life. Few come home energized after an afternoon of frenetic e-mail replies, but the same time spent tackling a hard problem in a quiet location can be immensely satisfying.”
Schedule uninterrupted blocks of time (90-120 minutes) for focused, high-impact tasks. During these blocks, eliminate distractions like email and social media. You’ll accomplish more in less time, freeing you up to leave work on time with a sense of completion.
I start and end each day with “flex” time. Another term for it is “bookending” (which I will be covering in a future article).
Review and affirm what needs to be done in the day, staying focused on top priorities and staying away from secondary issues that can give you a false sense of accomplishment. Things can change overnight, so take that into consideration.
Spend the last 15 to 30 minutes of your workday tidying your workspace, reviewing your accomplishments, and planning for the next day. This creates a sense of closure. Leaving a clean and organized space symbolizes a clear break from work. Planning ahead reduces the mental clutter that can follow you home.
Some of the jobs I had involved long commutes to and from work. Yet, I found I still brought the job home with me. One day my wife called me and said she was having a rough day with our kids. She made it clear to me that when I got home, I was on immediate “Dad Duty”. That changed my entire mindset on the ride home. It stuck with me.
Just as you have an end-of-day ritual at work, create a transition ritual to signal the start of your personal time. This could be listening to podcasts or audio books. At home it might be as simple as changing clothes, going for a walk, listening to music, or meditating.
I still can let the professional dominate the personnel. I guess that is the salesperson’s attitude in me. Nonetheless, I have gotten a lot better at claiming my personal time as quality time and not feeling guilty for crowding out the professional pressures. I’ll be better off at work as a result, and so will you.
David Buck is the author of the book The Time-Optimized Life, coauthor of The Retirement Collective, and owner of Kairos (Time) Management Solutions, LLC. Learn how to apply the concepts of proactively planning and using your time. Take the Time Management Analysis (TMA), the Retirement Time Analysis (RTA), or all the other free resources offered to help bring more quality time into your life.
The post The Power of Guilt Free Personal Time first appeared on Infinity Lifestyle Design.
