![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
When was the last time you took a day just for yourself? If you're a small business owner or anyone else for that matter, you answer is probably never. I first learned the principal; of Extraordinary Self-care Day at a workshop given by my friend Terri Levine the author of Work Yourself Happy. Essentially an Extraordinary Self-care Day is taking one 24-hour period where you take care of yourself. You do no work at all. I know, I can hear your protest. I protested too when I first heard this idea "But you don't understand, I have to check my voicemail, I have to return phone calls, I have to answer my emails and on and on." I protested in my very best entrepreneurial voice. The truth is any of us can take a day for ourselves without consequence. Believe it or not, the world will keep spinning. Calls will wait as will email.
This is a day just for you. If you normally do the cooking on your Extraordinary Self-Care Day, you will refrain from making meals. Trust me your family will not starve. Obviously if there are small children or infants that depend on you, you would have to modify this. Overall try to do nothing that is related to your normal work. This is a pampering day just for you.
The first time I did this, I discovered just how my work relates to things that I do on any given day. Most of my reading was centered on business topics. Being an entrepreneur and self-employed, I was convinced I had to be working all the time. I was wrong. Kicking and screaming, I embarked on my Extraordinary Self-Care Day. I took a walk, read part of a novel, took a luxurious bath in our soaking tub (something I never used to do) and just hung out and took care of myself. What a concept!
It's been a year now and my Extraordinary Self-Care Day has become an integral part of my life. I not only feel better, and am having more fun, I have my life back. Doing this regularly has enabled me to put my work back into perspective. I no longer work seven days a week and I no longer do email throughout the day.
The interesting thing is that because of my taking this time to nurture myself, I'm actually more productive. Because I'm taking better care of myself I have more clarity and I'm able to better focus on the task on hand. Because I am taking better care of myself, I am more creative and productive. Most of all, because I am taking better care of myself, I feel better and have more happiness, after all isn't that what it's all about?
So your assignment, if you choose to accept it, is to schedule one 24-hour period, sometime within the next 10 days, when you can give yourself an Extraordinary Self-Care Day and then go and do it. Once you've done this, see how you might be able to do this weekly and when you feel really ready, schedule an Extraordinary Self-Care Day for what would have been a normal work day.
© 2004 Jim Donovan - PO Box 1147, Buckingham, PA 18912 - (215) 794-3826
Jim Donovan is the author of "Handbook to a Happier Life, a motivational speaker and coach. For a no cost bonus product & more, visit http://www.JimDonovan.com
If you had all the information and tools you needed to live your dream life, would you use them? Yes? Click here ==> http://www.jimdonovan.com/ebookoffer.html
1. Acknowledge that requesting support, guidance and partnership is not... Read More
Are you a person who has a keen imagination, a... Read More
This is the time for daydreaming about your annual vacation.... Read More
The right amount of stress can be good for you,... Read More
Success in recovery, or rather, staying in recovery, is dependent... Read More
Stress is amazingly persistent, even seductive. We get used to... Read More
Probably the least appreciated form of stress is college stress.... Read More
Most of us are trying to balance work, home, and... Read More
Why Stress Management programmes don't work?It seems that every week... Read More
There are two types of anxiety:*Situational *Existential.Most of us experience... Read More
Managing stress is not easy if you don't have the... Read More
When we think about stress in the workplace, we usually... Read More
Understanding StressStress has been called "the invisible disease". It is... Read More
If you find symptoms of anxiety disorder in any of... Read More
Are You Too Stressed?Is your stomach all tied up in... Read More
According to the StressPulse survey by ComPsych Corporation completed at... Read More
Insomnia is usually the result of the modern way of... Read More
Have you ever said the words, "This job/my life is... Read More
Stress ReliefStress is a big business in Western society. We... Read More
I'm sure you have heard of IBS, irritable bowel syndrome,... Read More
The future is nothing but a fantasy or a daydream,... Read More
Stress management is a hot topic; stress-related illness and suffering... Read More
More than two-thirds of visits to doctors' surgeries are for... Read More
Looking for some quick stress relief?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker,... Read More
Training Your Mind For Better Business and LeisureModern life moves... Read More
We are not designed for long term stress.It causes us... Read More
Part 1: Recognize the importance of family stress managementJoe and... Read More
Do you feel that you just don't have the time... Read More
Do you feel tense and anxious at work? Do your... Read More
We all know what it feels like to have our... Read More
Are you a person who has a keen imagination, a... Read More
Several studies, including one of medical students around exam time,... Read More
Get at least 15 minutes of sunshine daily.Daily Exercise -... Read More
So many of us live a stressful life. Unfortunately, when... Read More
Success in recovery, or rather, staying in recovery, is dependent... Read More
Q. I wonder if you could help me with a... Read More
It is an inescapable fact, we live in a stressful... Read More
1. 5-minute rule. How many times do we say, "This... Read More
I recently received this e-mail message about stress management (author... Read More
These days, when people have become so conscious about what... Read More
Work stress has become a major problem today. The nature... Read More
I have yet to see a scientist talk about the... Read More
Have you been feeling so stressful and almost losing your... Read More
Here's a fun little experiment:Take a few seconds and look... Read More
Workers across America will tell you that stresslevels are increasing.... Read More
According to the StressPulse survey by ComPsych Corporation completed at... Read More
Statistics tell us that more people have migraine headaches on... Read More
Stress seems to have become a constant factor in today's... Read More
Take a moment to think about the week that just... Read More
Whether we are at work, traveling, or at home, we've... Read More
Stress Management Stress Management |