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When was the last time you intentionally slowed down? I’m not talking about a quick weekend getaway, although that’s important too. I’m talking about slowing down by choice – for a week or a month or even a season.
Have you done that recently? Or…. Ever?
For most of us, we had built-in breaks once a year throughout our whole childhoods due to summer vacations. And if we were lucky, these precious couple of months were our opportunity to maybe sleep in later, adopt a new rhythm, give our brains a much-needed break, and pursue our creative passions that we didn’t always have time for.
Since entering into adulthood, the breaks become fewer and farther between…. And as entrepreneurs, does the work EVER really stop?!
But here’s the thing… breaks are still just as important to our wellbeing as they were when we were kids. The only difference is that now, we have to make time for these slow-downs, rather than have it planned for us.
And what we do during these breaks is also crucial, according to Brené Brown. In fact, Brene recommends that in order to boost your creativity and invite more joyfulness into your life, you have to make time for PLAY—doing things just because they’re fun and not because they’ll help achieve a goal.
It’s anything that makes us lose track of time and self-consciousness, creating the clearing where ideas are born. And—dare I say it?—it can actually HELP our businesses in the long run!
This summer, I have intentionally decided to slow down and invite more play into my life… both for myself, for my family, and for my business. We’ve all heard the saying “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” and that’s exactly what this summer has been about.
(Spoiler alert: it’s been wonderful!)
So, let’s dive into the behind the scenes of what I’ve been up to these last few months while I pour into myself, my marriage, and my girls!
What Hasn’t Changed: Our 4-Day Work Week
Over a year ago, we decided to experiment with a 4-day work week schedule, and the results have been amazing. Not only has it brought more joy and work-life balance to our team, but it has also not impacted our profit or efficiency negatively! We simply maintained our regular work hours and routines and eliminated Fridays from our work week.
This change has allowed my team to spend more time with their families, pursue hobbies, and achieve a better work-life balance. I believe that this shift in our work schedule has been a game-changer for us, and I encourage others to explore the possibility of implementing a similar schedule in their own businesses.
To learn more about our 4 day work week, listen to episode 692: Behind the Scenes of Our 4-Day Work Week Experiment!
How We Planned For A Summer of Rest
In September of last year, my Vice President Marisa and I mapped out the entire year and we intentionally “saved” our summer. This meant stacking our launches and major promotions in the beginning and end of the year. Now that I am able to enjoy my intentionally slow summer as a result of that hard work, I can confidently say that it was worth it!
By prioritizing this slower period and planning ahead, my team and I have been able to focus on methodical, thoughtful, and intentional work behind the scenes. This includes projects like a website rebrand, optimizing offers, and refining processes, which may have been overlooked during busier periods.
Learn more about the The Who, What, Why and How of My NEW Brand in Episode 792!
We’ve also been able to take an inventory of our top performing assets: blog posts, podcast episodes, freebies, and more just so we can go deeper, not wider. In this time, we actually didn’t create anything NEW, just tracking what’s already working.
If you want to dig deeper into how we’re able to do this, check out Episode 726: If You Want Bigger Results, You HAVE To Do This and Episode 762: From Data to Direction: 5 Interesting Insights from Our Biz Numbers!
How My Slow Summer Impacted My Life
I have absolutely loved getting the opportunity to slow down and focus on activities that bring me joy outside of work. Over the last several months I have planted a garden, become a beekeeper, I took up rowing, and even started baking sourdough bread!
Plus, I just got back from a week long trip to Greece and I gave my entire team the whole week off too. By putting rest and relaxation at the forefront this summer, it has allowed me to create a more balanced life. I have been able to recharge and reconnect with myself and my family, and it also encouraged a healthier work-life balance for my team, too!
I think it’s important for everyone to remember that we are human beings and not human doings, and making time for our hobbies and prioritizing joy is a necessary part of, well, being human!
Is It Time For YOU To Slow Down, Too?
Is this your sign to slow down? Maybe. Or maybe you’re in a season of growth and now isn’t the time.
Whether you slow down this summer or wait for a different season in your life and business, I hope this episode not only gave you a peek behind the curtain of what I’m up to, but it also inspires you to look for opportunities to take a step back from work and into LIFE.
I know that over the years, there have been way too many seasons that I prioritized the hustle. And although that is a large reason why I have the business I do today, that constant pressure to work all the time isn’t healthy and it’s definitely not sustainable.
So today, I invite you to look at your calendar for the week and see where you can schedule some time to play!
Whether it’s doing a paint by number, scrapbooking, crocheting a blanket, or putting together a puzzle, I hope you lose track of time doing something you love and maybe—just maybe—you’ll discover that your self worth doesn’t lie only in your productivity.
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