As I sat with last year's District 18 Contest winner, Marin, after my own contest win, she recommended that I do some things differently than she did. First, she said with vehemence, "Take this week off..... at LEAST! If you can manage two weeks, take two..." What??? Take time off? But, I have to begin to prepare for the Convention! I have to make adjustments to my semi-final speech! I have to begin working on my World Championship speech! (If I am so blessed to have the opportunity to give it) I can't take time OFF.... I have too much to do...
Her response? "You don't HAVE to do anything..... right now." She said her one regret was that she jumped from the District speech contest immediately into Semifinal prep mode.... and by the time she got to the Convention she was so exhausted, she didn't have much of a chance to really enjoy it. Wow! That spoke volumes to me! I have attended two Conventions now... and LOVED them both! I can't imagine attending this year's Convention and not enjoying it... maybe she had a point.
So, here I am, doing everything possible to take time off from my speech(es). Do you know how difficult that is??? I've spent months practicing, fine-tuning, adjusting.... to suddenly stop doing that.... it's like ripping off my own arm... (ok, well my jaw...). But, as time goes on, and the glow of victory begins to fade... it has become a little easier. And, I'm beginning to see the benefit of a break.
If you are familiar with my "Time Out" speech (it's on YouTube.... and it's really, really bad - you've been warned), then you know how much I value the importance of taking a little time off.... from life.
How many times do you END your work-week with the feeling that you accomplished nothing?
How many times do you BEGIN the work-week already exhausted having not rested during the weekend at all?
How many times have you... spun your wheels only to go nowhere?
Uh-uh... that's what I thought... week after week after week, right?
A few years ago, my husband and kids asked me what I wanted for Christmas... Guess what I asked for... Jewelry? No. Some DVDs? Nope... A trip to Mars? Well..... you're close...
I asked for TIME OFF!!! I wanted just ONE weekend without playing chauffeur... one weekend without laundry... one weekend where I didn't have to cut up anyone's meat!
Guess what??? I got it!!! A few months later hubbie took Darling Son camping for the weekend and my parents took Darling Daughter to their place... AHHHHHHH! Relaxation AT LAST!!!
Guess what I did with my time? Absolutely NOTHING!!! At the end of the weekend, I was rested... I was rejuvenated... I was.... missing my family terribly :)
See? Absence really DOES make the heart grow fonder!
My takeaway for you? I only want you to "Take" one thing: Time Off! Take 30 minutes and enjoy a cup of coffee for once. Take an evening and spend it with your friends talking about nothing.... Take a Saturday at the park... without your iPhone! (Gasp! Perish the thought!!!) Take.... Time.... Off!!!!!
I might even take two...
No comments:
Post a Comment