Much as we all yearn for weekends, vacations and sometimes an extra hour in our day to do nothing, there are those among us who find it difficult taking 5 minutes away from their work to use the bathroom or get a fresh breath of air.  Some folks continue to keep their nose to the grind, even when it’s completely under their control to take those pause moments. 

You know what I mean – it’s 2:00 p.m. and the lunch hour seems to have somehow slipped away.  Now you’re wondering if you should stop for lunch at all or wait till dinner OR maybe you’re really intending to take that break, but you just keep finishing one more thing first. 

The difference is if you feel yourself stuck in doing this more often than not.  Maybe you are someone who finds yourself listening longingly to someone else’s daily schedule and you wonder how they manage to fit it all in and have downtime too.  Others you notice take their three daily meal breaks and even a midafternoon break, but you feel you have too much to do. 

I’ve gotten alot more effective at taking my downtimes.  Nothing changed, but my own willingness to make myself more of a priority.  I rarely miss daily exercise or meals and even get a few personal errands done daily, vs. overload my weekend times.  Yet some of my clients (who will remain unnamed, but you know who you are),  fall into the pattern of missing out on their downtimes.  As a result, they have a blameworthy desire for the schedule of those unlike themselves.   Sound like you?

Know the difference between workaholism and working hard and if you find yourself in the first category, then seek some reputable support to help you overcome this behavior.  If you’re a hard worker but could use a more balanced approach to managing your day, consider hiring a coach to help you integrate more effective work habits and strategies to allow you that coveted downtime.