You know how when you’re driving along a highway and you come upon an exit that has a bend in it, you take your foot off the gas a bit?  There’s evidence on the guard rails of those who didn’t. 

I pay attention to my own efficiency, and I noticed something: At 5am, I’m really IN it, ready to go! I might’ve mentioned before that I awaken annoyingly perky. There are memes about me. My wife gets coffee and I’m up and ready for the day, with or without coffee. Okay, I do like my cup (or two) throughout the morning. I don’t need it to fuel my focus. 

But then, sometime between 2:30pm and 3:30pm, my energy fades. I very rarely schedule calls at this hour. It’s an extra push for me to give my best. I will. It just takes double the effort. It’s energy expensive. You know that I have a block of time on my calendar at that hour. It’s called “self-care time.” I back away from my tech. I will go outside or read a book – a real book – or do something not work related. I refuel. 

Because when I take my foot off the gas enough to refuel and change out the tires, I’m then ready to accelerate out of the curve and can go well into the evening. Even as I write this, I’m on my laptop at the dining table. I’ll be here well into the hours when others have gone to bed. I can only do that because I honored the signs my body gave me, “slow for the curves.” 

Daily, I have my energy flow. We all do. It’s important that you know yours. Throughout the year, nature gives us seasons. And throughout our lifetime there are seasons as well. 

Sometimes things seem to be flowing just right. Then, out of nowhere, life throws you a curve. Too many people are afraid to slow down. And that’s when they go sliding off the road. Here’s the permission you didn’t know you needed: 

It’s okay to take your foot off the gas, to get perspective, and to refuel.

Take A Deliberate Pause

You don’t need tragedy to take a moment. It’s not a bad idea to do that at least quarterly. Give yourself an intentional break. Take a deliberate pause. Once you’ve regained your bearings and received the support you need, get back in the race or game or whatever this thing called life is for you. 

We’re not racing each other, by the way. We’re racing our own yesterday for a better today. And we don’t need to speed away from the past, that happens fast enough already. (I mean, really, have you seen the calendar?)

So slow for the curves. Be prepared to accelerate out of them. That’ll put you back on track. And when you need to, take your foot off the gas. Life isn’t that serious. Have some fun along the way. Take care of yourself so that you can live in service for others. 

Keep making your magic.

= Wayne = 

Blah… blah… blah… there’s a thing you should see because it’ll change your life. I don’t have the words to convince you. You have to want to show up more greatly in your life than you have in the past. You have to want to honor that ache for more that you’ve tried to ignore. If you want help with that, it’s as easy as making a decision. Just click here.