A lot has been said and written about having a morning routine; how you start the day can contribute to self care and daily momentum, or not; I’ve talked about it here.
But I’m noticing something.
I wake up and go, alternating between running and sprinting, and sprinting some more. Not much walking happens on an average day, even with my resolution not to add more to my list as I get close to the end. By the time 7:00 pm comes, I’ve been running for 13-14 hours and I’m exhausted.
There’s an old saying, “I’ll rest when I die.” But, if we don’t rest, we will die — a new routine, or at least a routine adjustment is required. I’m working on taking breaks throughout the day, experimenting with working for 50 minutes and then breaking for 10.
And no, walking into the kitchen to rummage for food, like chocolate chips (something I have NEVER done)—not—doesn’t count.
But what about walking around the block, doing five minutes of yoga, playing the piano for five minutes, or watching 1-2 minutes of tennis videos? Maybe even a little more meditation, although I’m not calm enough to pull that one off yet.
What we’re looking for is something that provides a physical, mental, and emotional break. Because a break is important, even essential.
But here’s what else I’m discovering––a midday breather, or two, can provide a second wind so that we have the capacity to follow an end-of-the-day routine. We want to have the energy to do things like be with family, serve in our community, and use our leisure time productively, not just vegging in front of the tv.
Right now, I don’t have the end-of-day capacity I want. Maybe you don’t either.
We may have a routine to usher in the morning, but how about a routine to welcome the evening? From a selfcare perspective, how we end the day determines, in part, how we start the next one.
So, I am experimenting. Reflecting before I leave my desk, like a scientist recording data or writing a report. Taking a leisurely five minute walk, washing my face, discussing a sacred text with my family for five minutes, reading fiction for ten minutes. Rituals to mark an end and a beginning.
If you are like me, you’re very low-end of the S Curve on this one and sloppy at it.
But with awareness comes an opportunity–––we can become good at closing out the day in the same way we’ve gotten good at opening it.
Beginning with the midday intermission, the interlude.
On the podcast this week we have Robert Glazer, the CEO of Acceleration Partners, an affiliate marketing company. Like Davis Smith at Cotopaxi, whom we featured on LinkedIn Live a few weeks ago, Robert is an intentional CEO, and a person people like working for. I’m delighted for you to hear his story and have a window on how he leads his team.
As always, thanks for being here. You can listen to my interview with Robert here. Also, Robert is kindly making five copies of his new book Friday Forward, out this week, available to our newsletter subscribers. Just hit return and say, “I am learning to close the book on my day.”
My best,
Whitney
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