The #1 Lie About Working Too Hard

Last Modified: January 30, 2013 by Alexandra Skey 2 Comments

Get Out

Seriously, when was the last time you took a break and had a little fun?

Last night I went for drinks with some entrepreneurs, and they reminded me how important it is to get outside and do something different, even if you’re tired or busy or you just don’t feel like it. We all have excuses, what sets us apart is what we do with them – do they win, or do you?

An inspiration for me to get outside - beautiful isn't it?

Yeah, there are introverts and extroverts

Despite what most think, it’s not about being “shy” or “outgoing,” it’s about where you get your energy from.

I’m not sure what to do if you’re an introvert – maybe kick everyone else out?

But if you’re like me, just get outside.

Running a business is tiring

Scratch that, it’s exhausting.

There’s a never ending list of things you could do. And unlike grade school or “a real job,” you don’t have a teacher or boss to tell you when you’re done, or that you did a good job, because there’s always something else you can do…

…a customer you can call to make sure things are going well, fires to put out, accounting, paperwork, market research, cleaning (why does this always seem to be on the list?), another blog to write, tweet to respond to or photo to pin, and when that fails…your inbox. Fun.

Our little secret

But I want to share a little secret with you about to do lists. They all have one thing in common – if you leave them where they are, they’ll be waiting for you when you get back.

I know, I almost fell off my chair too. #epiphany

So what are we all worried about?

Take a break. Get outside. Breathe some air.

Spend a full weekend doing nothing but relaxing, enjoying the outdoors, watching people, being part of something different. I find I get the most creative inspiration when I’m “outside of my business,” then I charge back in full force.

Problems seem different from the outside. So do solutions to those problems. But the only way you can get there is by actually going outside.

So do yourself a favour, and get out.

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Tyrell Mara

Great post, Alexandra!

I completely agree that there is a myth that hard work (and constantly working hard) equals results, happiness, and satisfaction. I am not saying that hard work doesn’t pay off and that we all fall on a spectrum of how much our work drives us – but at the end of the day there needs to be a balance. There needs to be a place where we can let our subconscious brain take over and digest the constant to-do’s and fires that are going on in the work world.

I think that this actually helps drive more effective performance when we are showing up and driving our businesses. When I take back and look at the bigger picture, my personal belief is that I don’t want to question where the last 40 years have gone because my head was down in/on my business. Instead, I want to be appreciative of the many incredible things I was able to do, business being just one of them!

In terms of how introverts apply this (speaking from experience), every now and then I will slip away from society and drive out to the coast where I enjoy nothing but nature, a campfire, and surfing with the seals.

Thanks again for the great reflection, Alexandra!

Cheers,
Tyrell
@TyrellMara
- Alexandra Skey
  
  Tyrell,
  
  Awesome comment!
  
  Loved your honesty and reflection, thanks for sharing.
  
  I couldn’t agree more.
  
  I actually like the word “rhythm” instead of balance, because balance implies that it’s hard to achieve, it’s all or nothing, whereas you can be in rhythm at a variety of paces, even when you’re playing and not working on the business you’re in a rhythm.
  
  It creates more of a fluid lifestyle.
  
  Does that make sense?
  
  My Friday afternoon coffee might be going to my head 😉
  
  Chat soon,
  Alexandra