Work just enough to make a productive impact.
Work just enough so that you’re not exhausted at the end of the day.
Work just enough because there is more to life than completing to-do lists.
Work hard but play harder.
We work until we need rest.
We rest so that we can work.
So let’s not forget to rest if you want to be as productive as you can be.
“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.”
– Mark Black
You’ve probably set some goals you want to achieve for this year.
But to get there, we need to build habits.
And one of the best ways to do that is to use the power of one.
Anything that you want to become a habit, just think of the number one.
Jog outside for one minute if you want a healthier body.
Write one sentence if you want to write a book.
Practice for one minute if you want to get better at an instrument (or anything really).
The point is here to focus on showing up.
Show up consistently first, then do more later after the habit is built.
“You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret to your success is found in your daily routine.”
– John C. Maxwell
Some of us have been too busy for far too long that we forget how to switch off and relax.
We respond to work emails after working hours.
We go on vacations but still worry about work.
We take days off from work yet we’re not fully rested.
If this sounds like you, it’s time to learn how to relax again.
Even though it sounds unusual, learning to relax is a skill too.
The more you seek ways to relax, the better you will be at achieving and maintaining a state of relaxation.
Especially so if you’ve been busy all the time.
“Sometimes you just need to relax and trust that things will work out. Let go a little and just let life happen.”
– Kody Keplinger
As 2022 has come to a close, take a moment to reflect on it.
Did you set out to do the things you wanted to do?
Did you improve in any way?
Did your quality of life improve in any way?
If not, how can you do it for 2023?
What habits will you plan to build and keep?
After all, outcomes are a result of habits done over a sufficient period.
So build and keep those habits that will help you reach your goals.
“If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.”
– Colin Powell
If you feel the urge to speed things up, resist it.
More often than not, things turn out for the worse when you rush them.
Be it for relationships.
Or improving a skill.
Or working on a project.
Put in the just the right amount of effort and let time do its thing.
If things are meant to work out, they will in due time.
As long as you stay consistent with the right amount of effort and maintain a reasonable pace.
“I’ve learnt to stop rushing things that need time to grow.”
– Unknown
If you feel anxious about taking a long break or rest from working, don’t.
The fact that you’re even thinking about taking a long break proves that you need it.
But you’re guilty about resting.
Know that rest is not about being inactive.
Rest is when the body learns and adapts to a stressor.
Rest is recovery so that you can come back stronger.
Rest is resetting stress levels back to a minimum.
“There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.”
– Alan Cohen
Sometimes, doing nothing is the best thing you can do.
We’re always quick to try to fix things when something goes wrong or when we want to speed things up.
But sometimes, getting involved makes things worse.
Like how over-watering a plant drowns it instead of making it grow faster.
Like how excessively micro-managing employees decreases their productivity.
Like how we constantly change our workout programs and never see any results.
So recognize situations where it’s better to leave things alone and trust the process.
Let nature take its course.
“Those who flow as life flows, know they need no other force.”
– Lao Tzu
Let this be a reminder that you are enough.
It’s easy to feel inadequate and envious of others when we compare ourselves to other people.
But the only person you should compare to is yourself.
As long as you are getting better over time, that is all that matters.
But even if you’re not, you are enough.
“Don’t compare your life to others. There’s no comparison between the sun and the moon. They shine when it’s their time.”
– Unknown
When you feel tired, it doesn’t always mean that you didn’t have enough rest.
If you’ve had enough sleep, drank enough water, ate right and still feel tired, you may be lacking in activity.
Try going for a walk, get some exercise and see if you feel any better.
“You’re only one workout away from a good mood.”
– Unknown
Wherever you go.
Whatever you do.
Whoever you meet.
Be a source of positive energy.
Compliment freely.
Praise sincerely.
Smile genuinely.
It doesn’t take much to smile, give a thumbs up or say a “looking good” comment to someone and brighten their day.
Radiate positive energy.
+-Life. 