Two weeks ago, I gave a talk to Accenture’s Marketing Services team. My talk was about 11 truths I learned about motivation, achieving my goals and loving my work. I went through my favorite things: gratitude, falling in love with your work, my real thoughts about work-life balance and coming up with your own definition for success.
There was a wonderful Q&A session after where audience members were asked which of the 11 truths I had talked about resonated with them. One of them asked: “I know we’re supposed to be positive and mindful and work on our self-improvement. But when I get home, I’m just so tired that all I want to do is rest.”
My answer: Honor yourself. Listen to what you need and honor that.
Yes, we have big goals. Big dreams. Big things we want to achieve.
But when there is nothing left in the tank, when your battery is running low, when you have nothing left to give, then what you need is you—to replenish, to fill yourself up again slowly, to nourish yourself.
And to relax in that moment of giving, to not begrudge yourself this time and nourishment.
Because this is one of my truths. Instead of thinking “I’m wasting my time,” think “I’m exactly where I need to be.”
And maybe where you need to be is hustling, of going through the process of building something, of creating something new, of working on your own self-improvement.
Or maybe what you need is slowness, of letting things simmer, of letting what feels muddled settle so you can see things more clearly.
Or maybe it’s rest and stillness and quiet.
Wherever you are, relax in the knowledge that you are exactly where you need to be, that nothing is wasted. Honor your needs when you can. There’s no need for forcing or pushing. Relax in the wisdom that life is unfolding perfectly.
Trust in that.
Trust in you.
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This is an excerpt from this month’s Joyful Little Note, my newsletter that will add some inspiration and mindfulness to your month or even just your day. Subscribe by filling up the form below.
