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Just Walk Away

Tense shoulders. Stiff neck. Aching back.

If you work at your computer for hours each day, you may be all too familiar with these symptoms.

And what about agitation, exasperation, and downright orneriness?

If this sounds like you, it may be time to walk away.

I’m learning to live in the Now. In fact, this morning on my way home from dropping off my husband at work and picking up a few groceries, I realized I was looking ahead, anticipating getting my day started.

But wait!

My day had already started. I was reminded how important it is to live in the moment and “count my many blessings,” as the old song goes.

I am list crazy. And most days my Action Plan includes far more items than I could possibly hope to accomplish. If I dwell on that fact, I will feel defeated before I even begin. Plus, I won’t be able to give each task my undivided attention and do my best.

I have been learning to accept the fact that it may take longer than I’d originally hoped to get a specific project done. Most days I’m fairly content with that fact. But, like so many others, I am distracted by “the urgent,” which distracts from “the important.” (This is a concept I learned from Stephen Covey.)

The things we consider urgent today aren’t so much a ringing telephone and a knock on the door. Do Facebook, texts, and email ring a bell? (Kudos to each of you who effectively compartmentalizes and limits their time with these “distractions.”)

My social network windows are open the majority of the time I’m at my desk. I’m like a little kid who doesn’t want to miss anything, but that is definitely another story.

So, here I sit at my computer (writing this post and texting with my son who is on a road trip to Alberta from his home in Saskatchewan).

My back and shoulders are a little tense and it’s just about that time again, time to walk away for a bit.

Taking a break is good for so many reasons. Here are just a few:

1. You can grab a healthy snack and eat it—somewhere other than at your desk. Enjoy it. Be thankful for it. Don’t rush. The work will still be waiting when you get back.

2. Why not put on your favourite music and get moving? Dance. Do some bodyweight exercises. Pump some iron. Just have fun.

3. You can take a few minutes to evaluate each item on your To Do list. Why are you doing it? Is it really necessary? Can it wait until another day? Are you accomplishing tasks in their order of priority? Are you focusing on one thing at a time? Are you allowing the urgent to supersede the truly important? (It may be just me, but I love analyzing things. [grin])

4. You can go for a literal walk. It will do you good physically and will likely improve your outlook.

5. You can come back to your computer physically and mentally refreshed, ready to tackle the next thing on your Action Plan.

6. And hopefully, taking a break will prepare you to work more efficiently and thus, accomplish even more than you could have if you’d stayed at your desk.

Have you learned that there is a right time to walk away?

 

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Steph Beth Nickel is an author, a freelance editor and writer, a labour doula, and a former personal trainer. She’d love to connect with you on Facebook or Twitter, on her website or blog.