If you are like most professional people you are probably pretty driven. Chances are you get a real kick out of achieving the next milestone whether that is a job move, new experience or a new challenge.
While it is great to be really driven, it is important to have some sense of balance. Now I admit when I was in a senior role in the corporate world I did not always get this right. Some might even have described me as a workaholic.
We all know that when we are up against it just how difficult it is to contemplate taking time out. Yet in many ways this is sometimes just what you need to do.
When we take our focus away from the next looming deadline we give our brain a bit of a rest. By doing this we get rid of what I will call the fuzziness or lack of clarity. Very often what seemed like a struggle actually becomes straightforward.
We also focus on different things. This is likely to include the things we know we love doing but don’t necessarily make the time to do often enough. I am sure we all have interests that seem to take a back seat most of the time.
We come back far more creative. That problem that we had and never seemed to get past is no longer a stumbling block. Rather than wading through treacle we seem to be able to move forward with ease.
We re-discover the reason why we give so much effort to work. As we all appreciate we have to earn a living. Money is a necessity. Yet if we can’t enjoy the benefits that earning brings, what’s the point.
We are ready to do an even better job going forward. Often that time away is just the tonic we need to get us back into the groove and gaining real momentum.
And finally we are more likely to handle stressful or demanding situations better. Clarity of thinking is improved as we are much better at keeping things in perspective.
Duncan Brodie helps accountants and business professionals achieve more career success. Learn more here.
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.