Many of us go through extended periods of time when our work-life balance is off. Over-worked and under nurtured, we might even be approaching burnout without even being aware of it. When this happens it becomes essential to take time to rejuvenate. Stephen Covey talked about this problem in a principle he called ‘Sharpen the saw.’ And he illustrated the idea using an analogy:
Imagine a woodcutter who has been sawing wood for a couple of days. Over time the saw has dulled because of overuse and he’s gradually becoming less and less productive. So the only solution is to stop and sharpen the saw; but from the woodcutters perspective, there is no time to sharpen the saw: there’s wood to saw and he’s already behind. Well, this captures how we often feel about self-care amidst our busy lives. How can we carve out time for rest or meditation when there’s so much to do? But, of course, we must take time to sharpen the saw otherwise we risk damaging our capacity to be active and productive in life. Sharpening the saw means enhancing and preserving the greatest asset we have: ourselves. It means rejuvenating ourselves physically, emotionally and mentally. So, today, contemplate areas of your life that could use a recharge and think about ways to sharpen the saw. It might mean taking more time for rest, exercise or meditation. It might mean nourishing yourself with intellectual stimulation, connection with others or creative play. As Stephen covey said “most people struggle with life balance simply because they haven’t paid the price to decide what is really important to them.” #calm #Mindfulness #Selfcare #Slowdown #Timeforyou #worklifebalance