I have a tendency to work way too hard.
When I have a goal I lock onto that target and I sometimes I forget to give it a rest.
I really enjoy my work and I appreciate it so very much because I used to have to drag myself to work when I had a job in corporate America.
I dreaded when my alarm sounded each morning.
Feeling washed in dread is not the best way to start every work day.
Getting The MAKING Art Making MONEY Semester launched is my current target.
And I won’t release it until its right.
Because it’s almost there, I’m working on it day and night.
So a dear friend recently remarked, “Even a boxer sits in the corner and rests in between rounds.”
Somehow her logic landed.
What did I do? I took a break. I got a massage and I enjoyed a barbecue with my friends.
I remembered that I need to breath and enjoy the journey. Otherwise, what’s the point?
Meaningful work is fantastic.
But work is not everything.
It needs to be balanced with fun and relaxation.
Why am I going on about this with you dear reader?
Because so many artists who I know work really hard. Sometimes too hard.
Artists are some of the hardest working people I know.
But many get caught in the trap of working hard doing things the same broken way rather than working smart and looking for an easier route.
One way you can discover that easier route is to get some distance.
So embrace your inner lazy loaf.
Your imagination and the quality of your life is enhanced by doing nothing.
I invite you to put down your work and open up to the fertile void.
When was the last time you took a meaningful break?
What did it do for you?
Please share in the comments below.
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You’re welcome Kelly!
Thank you for talking about this. Much of my work is graphic design so computer based and lately I’ve been focused on trying to take breaks as I work – I even have an APP for that called “time out” – but i tell the app to “skip this break” way too often. I find i have niggling feelings of guilt when I take a “brief intermission” during my work. But like you said even boxers sit in their corners. I’ve been reading a book called the Power of Full Engagement (trying to have others give me permission to rest!) and they talk about athletes – they take full SEASONS off!! We need to figure this out. I’m already having health issues from not paying attention!
thanks for bonking me on the head yet again!!
~ I yearn again for the most memorable meaningful break i took! a 4 day silent retreat in the mountain town of Mentone, Al. I simply became immersed in nature ~~ watching a snail crawl up a rock, fall off, and crawl up again! i was reminded of perseverance! i watched a caterpillar climb up a fence post to the top, turn around and crawl down! i was reminded that its about the journey not the destination! i felt the wind caress my face while sitting under a row of pines watching the manes & tails of the horses grazing in the pasture blow gently with the breeze! i was reminded that simply sitting stirs my soul and brings me back to a place of balance! yes, most definitely ~ step away and refresh!