Overwelm and busyness is an everyday standard for Americans. It’s actually hard to remember a time when we weren’t overworked and tired. We often evaluate our success and effectiveness based on how busy our schedules are. This is a backwards notion that leads to burn-out, dissatisfaction and unhappiness–the exact opposite of what we are really looking for in life.
We have all heard the phrase “You can’t fill a cup from an empty pitcher,” yet this is how many of us live our lives: drained of energy and depleted while still trying to fill the cups of those around us.
The secret is to stop. You need time to reboot. You need a pause to focus, practice mindfulness and just to decompress. The source of this reboot time is not important. Maybe you like nature–go to a park. Perhaps you love to read–schedule an hour every few days to just sit and read. Whatever it is that fills and rejuvenates you, this is what you need to reboot. What relaxes you? What are your hobbies? What kind of activities can you do for hours and literally lose track of time? Those are your reboot tools.
Why do I call it “reboot?” Just like a computer, sometimes our lives get “glitchy.” We become overworked, overburdened and depleted. And, just like a computer, we freeze up–we get less productive, more bitter and lose our energy to make a difference. This is how you know it’s time to reboot.