All Work & No Play
= Boring & Burned-out

These past years have seen me on the run in the Puget Sound region, being a coach as well as doing reorganizing jobs. The sun is shining here in Seattle today—yes, it occasionally does that!—and Green Lake's walking path is calling me. But I promised my Webmaster I'd get this newsletter out today, so I am decluttering my schedule to bring you my latest organizing tip and still leave room for a healthy walk around the lake. Those of you who have attended my workshops will be pleased to see that I really do practice what I preach - by scheduling fun breaks into my own work day.

Indeed, my most successful clients are those who also have an equally exciting and fulfilling life outside of work. I enjoy helping my clients become whole-functioning individuals. Getting sufficient rest and scheduling fun breaks during a 24-hour period is at least as important as bringing in a project on time or making the sale.

So where do we find passion and enthusiasm for life? For example, I enjoy singing with my choral group. Our two-hour Monday rehearsals seem like 15-minute sessions. During this time I'm fully engaged in a fun activity. The problems and incompletes of my business day do not exist during rehearsal. Even when I think I'm too tired to go, I'll inevitably leave the rehearsal humming a tune and feeling energized.

We live in hectic times. Multi-tasking is the norm. Our energy reserves easily become depleted when true passions are constantly set aside for work. If your work provides the kind of passion I'm discussing, you are one of the lucky ones; you are earning your "right livelihood" (see related book links). When I watch Tina Turner perform, I'm convinced her work on stage is the fulfillment of her true passion. I'd certainly like to strut my stuff like Tina does when I'm her age!

Real passion for an activity will actually rejuvenate you when you're bone-tired and haven't had sufficient sleep the night before. You can harness energy by engaging in a worthy cause, a person, a creative hobby or, like Tina, your life's work. If you want to avoid burn out, find an "outside-of-work" passion!

Try this exercise: Sit quietly, without distractions, and jot down examples of times when you felt truly engaged and passionate about something. Ask yourself: Who or what activity inspired that passion? How can I incorporate some of that passion into my work schedule every day?

Include your personal passions in your workday: if you are a photography bug, bring your camera to work and photograph people, birds, flowers, or buildings during your lunch hours; schedule a 5-minute "fun" break or two throughout your workday to leaf through your favorite photo magazine or catalogue. If you love music, bring your favorite CDs or tapes to work and take a lunch-time break with your headphones; and give yourself a couple of 5-minute breaks to listen to a special piece of music.

As you begin to build these breaks into your workday, observe the quality of your energy and the quality of your work and your mental processes immediately after your fun break. You'll quickly discover that these breaks provide you with valuable moments of relaxation, pleasure, or exercise. You will experience a major boost of energy and attitude upon returning to work.

I hope I've given you some valuable insights. To all my friends and clients, may you have a happy and healthy holiday season. Make yourself a gift of more fun and relaxation this coming year!

All the best,