This past summer I took an almost 3 month hiatus. I knew I needed to take a long break. I had produced 4 months of some of the best content and traffic as yet seen on this blog and for The Cameron Cowan Show in 2 years. I was wiped. Not only was I physically tired but I was mentally and spiritually tired. I knew I needed to take a break before I simply collapsed. I took a break and I realized that while I was tired, depressed, and generally in a funk; I knew that my break was not going to last forever and that eventually the hiatus would end and the blog would be back on full force.

I dreaded that moment because I did not want to go back to feeling the way I was when I took off in May. I realized through the help of friends that I simply worked too hard. What’s more is that I realized that most other people do not do as I have done in the past: work 16 hours a day from sun up to sundown and well into the night. Being the type A that I have become, my remedy for any problem was hard work. The harder you worked and the more you did the better chance you had for success and more reward you could earn.

Until my body, mind, and spirit gave out.

When it finally all gave out I laid in bed for 5 days and hardly moved. I did not speak. I did not eat. I ventured out to the bathroom 1-2 times a day. I stared at the ceiling. Even watching TV or a movie didn’t have any appeal. Once that moved past I did not speak for 10 days, at all. I kept public interactions to the absolute minimum and I completely avoided any other type of conversation.

Then I finally surfaced.

I realized that I needed some long-term balance in my life.

I had to learn how to be lazy. 

Lazyness is not something that comes easy to me. I was always the kid who was watching TV and doing something else as well. I just liked to keep busy. I am old enough to be raised in such a way that if parents saw me being bored or doing nothing they would soon find something for me to do that involved cleaning or other drudgery. However, if I was busy doing something the parents tended to bother me far less. This habit turned into a generally habit of always staying busy and that meant filling every waking second of everyday. I lamented how long it took to make food because that seemed “meaningless” and I lamented errands and housework because those were “time-wasters.” Often, that was the only time I wasn’t actively working on doing something.

At some level, this kind of workaholism yielded some tremendous results.  I earned my M.A. when I was 23 and I went on to work in media in various capacities before I landed here. I spent hours and hours learning technical knowledge required to do what I wanted and creating exciting projects. However, the pattern was the same, work really hard for months and then suffer a health setback or end up sleeping a day or more away due to exhaustion. This time I wanted to do something different so I decided that I would find other things to do besides work and write all the time. I delved back into reading (even on non-work related topics!) and I bought a Playstation 4 to explore modern video games. I had previously bought a PSP for my European flights to pass the time and I had enjoyed playing and wanted to stay within that eco-system. I also agreed to take at least 1 weekend day completely off where I could do anything except work!

It was a tremendous success. 

It’s easy to say that right now during a hiatus from The Cameron Cowan Show but I also know that if I start the habit now it will be far easier to keep going when things get busy rather than fall back into the old pattern of overwork and exhaustion.

Lots of articles tell you how to squeeze more out of life, I recommend leaving some juice behind.

You need balance in order to do more

I’ve found in the past several weeks that my productivity has gone up when I take breaks. When I’m working, I’m less tired and able to focus more on the task at hand. I also know that at some point I’m going to shut off the laptop and turn on my PS4 or open a book or get out of the house. My next project is to go to more local events and take in the scene. Balance is key to success. No matter if you’re starting a business or just working a regular job, having that balance is very important. If you’re overworked that will manifest itself in physical and emotional problems.

If you don’t have some hobby, get one (yes even entrepreneurs)

The best way to have that balance is to get and keep a hobby. Regular trips to the gym or other physical activity is always good but having something that you would like to spend 2-4 hours on a week is a good way to block out time to recharge, get back in touch with yourself and understand what is going on with the yourself and the world around you. Taking some time to be silent can also be a great way to let your entire mind/body/soul system recharge. Humans were not meant to work for 16 hours and sleep and it is not sustainable.

Take time to do nothing

One of the things I have come to cherish during this period of transition for me is learning to be lazy and enjoy it. I sit around, scan a magazine or just sit and stare at the ceiling for awhile. I take a walk and simply be in my space. I take naps and let myself be. When I return to the keyboard or notebook, the work is better and faster. Doing nothing is as important as doing something.

I hope this helps you. Has this been a problem for you? How are you coping? Is this something you need to work on? Let me know!