For most entrepreneurs, although we know better, we burn the candle at both ends every day. We wake up at the break of dawn to get a jump start on the day. Aided with our ability to solar focus, we will work well into the night to get work done. The norm is to overextend ourselves and unless we are given a direct order to stop, we take pride great pride in how we can juggle multiple hats we wear to keep the business afloat.
There’s a saying we often hear, “Work hard, play hard”. It means, you devote one hundred percent of your energy to your work, but after work is done, you devote one hundred percent of your energy to your recreation. I’ve often heard the say, and I’m guilty to saying it as well, but I honestly don’t’ think I’ve put it into practice.
How can I even consider the thought of “play” when I can’t even pry myself away from my laptop on a daily basis?
Who is going to get the work done when I’m galivanting around enjoying myself? Those types of questions can keep you tethered to your phone so that you don’t miss a call. It will keep you tethered to your computer because you don’t want to miss a deadline. And it will keep you tethered to the mindset that business always comes before pleasure. And again, although we know better, we willingly sacrifice everything to live out our version of the American dream.
Life teaches us valuable lessons if we pay attention. A couple of weeks ago, my church announced a mother’s day weekend to Brownlee, a camping ground a couple of hours away. As I packed my bags to go, I also grabbed my backpack, threw in my laptop and my Remarkable for note taking. To be transparent, there was a moment of hesitation about taking work along, but I overrode the thought and the bag was placed in the to go pile.
As we were packing the car, my friend looked directly at me and said, “why is your laptop in your backpack and why do you feel the need to bring it along?” I innocently looked at her and said, “How do you know my laptop is in the bag?”. Her response still makes me laugh today. She said, “I looked inside it, Kat.” She then instructed me to take the bag inside the house and leave it there. I got caught.
Looking back, I realized it was a blessing in disguise.
That was the best camping trip I ever had. Without any of my work tools and no internet access on the campground (God has great sense of humor) I was able to disconnect (quite literally) from work and be present for my family, friends, and most importantly – myself. That weekend, I gave myself permission to play. As we drove away from camp, I was happily exhausted and felt fulfilled and energized because I have experienced what it means to work hard, play hard.
And…I will definitely make time to do it again!
- Kat McGowan