Like all entrepreneurs, Virtual Professionals often end up wishing we could add an extra three or four hours into our day. But unlike most CEO’s, we not only manage successful businesses every day, we must also maintain happy and healthy kids and spouses and households (often at the same time). By the time we grab five or six hours of sleep at the end of it all, we have often forgotten to even put ourselves on the to do list. Or worse, we choose, day after day, to NOT prioritize ourselves. We treat our spirits and our bodies as if they were the “ever-ready” bunny – just going and going and going.
I use the term “ever-ready” on purpose, of course, because we seem to have our red capes hanging nearby to fly us to any emergency or client or volunteer project that might need us. But for ourselves? Well, we all know the answer to that question.
Of course, this doesn’t work for long. All aspects of our lives shine less brightly when we don’t recharge several times a day. For unlike “traditional” employees, we are not compelled or reminded to take a lunch break, talk to colleagues, or even wind down during our commute. There are days we simply work from sun up to sun down.
This is not a habit we can think ourselves out of. This is something we must change with right actions, and the right time is right now. Replace your evening commute of yesterday with a 15-minute walk today. Your deadlines will not suffer, and in fact, the stroll may clear your head of “static” and make you more productive – or it may give you enough quiet time to solve a problem or create a great marketing piece!
When you plan your day tomorrow, plan in a 20-minute phone call with a friend, or a thirty-minute newspaper break. Although non-billable hours can feel almost dishonest to a hard-working mom or dad with financial responsibilities, this downtime is vital to recharging and regrouping throughout the day. And remember to have quick and healthy foods at your fingertips. A fridge full of fruit and yogurt is a priceless alternative to the dollar menu.
Simply put, YOU are your commodity. Put yourself on that list, schedule down-time on your calendar every day, and treat yourself like the million-dollar jewel you are. You will have the energy and creativity to not only climb up that ladder, but to love every rung along the way.
With gratitude,
Michelle Ulrich, Chief Villager
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