There is a popular saying that you cannot pour from an empty cup. What this means is that you cannot give, when you do not have.
As Thought Leaders, most of the work we do, requires brain power, and studies have shown that you burn more energy doing mental work than when you do physical activities.
This is why when you’re done writing a book, creating a or course, teaching a webinar or training, or delivering a speaking engagement, you are left drained and exhausted. This is why I can’t be fat.
It is even more severe when you go weeks or months, working 7 days a week (as most of us tend to do), without taking days of to rest and recuperate.
Even when you’re not actively working, you’re reading one book or the other about your business, or taking one online course or training, or studying and researching on your field.
Even worse is when you go to bed and you cannot sleep because your mind is roaming with ideas on new products, new content, new ways to grow your audience, build influence, impact and income.
For the thought leader, it seems like your life revolves around your work and it can leave you extremely fatigued and utterly exhausted. Falling ill becomes very common and even expected because you don’t treat your body right, hence your immunity drops, allowing all kinds of illnesses to affect you.
Am I speaking to somebody here? Have you identified one or more of these things in your own life? I know I’m not alone because this is me too.
It is important that we learn to consciously take breaks off work to rest, replenish and recuperate.
Studies have shown that your best ideas come soon after a vacation, whether it is one day or one month, or whether your vacation is a “stay-cation” (staying at home) or a proper vacation (traveling away from your home or city or country).
As Thought Leaders, taking a vacation should be part of your business investments. In fact, it is one of the best things you can do for your business.
When my Coach told me he takes 3 months out of a year for vacation, I was shocked. I asked how he managed to run his business and what he told me made sense.
He didn’t take a whole three-month vacation at once, like October to December. Rather, he took 2 days off every week, for the whole year. Those 2 days added up to 3 months. When he explained it, it became a possibility for me.
We are not born to just come and work and die. We need time off to rest, reflect on our lives and be present in the moment, because it is those moments that count- not the money, not the accolades, but the time spent being present.
