Grant Baldwin’s Blog

In my opinion, one of the best ways to maintain a balance (and your sanity) in life is by taking a day off. We’re not machines and we cannot go 7 days a week, 365 days a year without wearing down.

Here are three descriptions of a day off I like to use:

1. A Day Off Is A Day When My Work Is Finished Even If It Isn’t – You may have noticed this, but there is always more to do. In order to take a day off, I have to just draw a line in the sand at some point and stop. It will be there Monday.
2. A Day Off Is A Day When I Schedule Nothing And Don’t Feel Guilty About It – I love asking this question, “What do you like to do for fun?” Because some people can tell you exactly what they like to do for fun and others are completely confused at what you mean by the word “fun”! What do you do that just gives you life? When was the last time you did it and if you felt guilty, why?
3. A Day Off Is A Day When I Don’t Check My Email, My Cell Phone Is Turned Off, And You Can’t Get A Hold Of Me – In order to take a day off physically, you have to be able to take a day off digitally. If you’re always available, then you’ll never be able to mentally check out.

Having said all that, understand that taking time off is very difficult for me. I love what I get to do, but if I want to do this for the next several years, I have to build balance into my life today.

You may have noticed this but taking time off doesn’t just happen. You have to be extremely proactive about it. So if you’re off on the weekends, you should begin planning now on Monday morning that when Friday afternoon rolls around, you’re done…even if you aren’t.