Self-care and times for reflection are effective ways to avoid end-of-the-rope living. What follows are suggestions for making time to do just that.
The Essentials
The summer months often include vacation time.
That is, time to get away. And relax. Plus refresh. More importantly, time to reflect in order to build insights.
Actually, we should find time to reflect regularly, not just during vacation. But, for many, it doesn’t happen.
So, then what? Well, symptoms include: burnout, frustration, damaged relationships, and no growth. You know, end-of-the-rope living!
As such, how many social media posts do you see on the topic of burnout?
The Precept
Proverbs 3.1-2 teaches that peace, using the Hebrew word shalom, and increased capacity, are two important outcomes of a life lived in balance.
More specifically, my life must balance expectations, as expressed by the law, and execution, as taught in the precepts, which are practical application of the law.
Similarly, in Luke 10.38-42 we read about someone who was at the end of her rope. Moreover, she was distracted. Worse yet, she missed what was most necessary – her own spiritual nurture.
So, don’t live there! Instead, give yourself some slack.
My own self-care is an everyday necessity, not an occasional luxury! proverbsforprofessionals.net
Apply This Today!
Well, what’s a person to do? I suggest we take a hint from Covey’s Quadrant 2 Living as explained in his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
Why? Because it teaches I must block time in my schedule for what’s important but not currently urgent. You know, things like strategic scans and competitive reviews.
Similarly, self-care is a Quadrant 2 activity that must occur daily.
For me, it is early-morning time for exercise and meditation. During the day, I look for brief times to step away and get outside.
More formally, a short, two-to-three day get away from time to time was also valuable. Even in the non-Wi-Fi equipped cabin my wife and I rented in the mountains!
In short, my point is to find some time, some where, for self-care. Even with these fairly regular times away, the stress was still evident (just ask my wife)!
Therefore, chose self-care as a way to avoid end-of-the-rope living!
If you’re active on LinkedIn, please follow my posts there. Look me up at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-young-proverbs-for-professionals/
