Lessons from NASCAR Drivers
How often do you schedule in time to refuel and rejuvenate throughout your day?
Do you theoretically love what you do but struggle to focus and feel burnout out by the end of day or week?
Not taking enough breaks could be a major contributing factor.
I see so many people struggling to take time to care for their basic needs - eating on the go, forgoing exercise, skipping their scheduled self-care time in order to get more done.
They think in order to feel worthy of respect and love, they have to GO, GO, GO.. or achieve, achieve, achieve,...and it’s draining them. They listen to their inner Saboteur that says lies likes “You aren’t good enough,” “You don’t have enough time,” or “You have to work harder and faster to succeed.”
I was in class last month with one of my teachers Shirzard Chamine and he drove home the importance of taking pre-emptive pit stops with a NASCAR driver analogy.
Even when race car drivers are in the biggest race of their life, they stop to refuel, change tires, get repairs and adjustments in order to reduce future spinouts and crashes.
These pit stops are key to their performance and endurance. It helps them race safely and increases the odds of a successful finish. It contributes to a safer race for everyone too.
I also noted that it takes a team to get them to the finish line.
Likewise, when we don’t take a “pit stop,” we can pay a heavy price. We might overwork, lose focus, make poor decisions, miss opportunities, strain our relationships and loved ones, etc. This can impact others, not just ourselves.
But if we pepper our day and week with pit stops like short walks, stretches at our desk, lunch with a friend, exercise classes, drinking lots of water, quiet time alone, reading a book, playing with your pet or kids, vacations, or computer breaks, etc….I promise you’ll increase your chances of success and decrease your chances of spinouts and burnout, that can not only affect you but others in your orbit.
Pit stops are worth the time and pre-emptive investment in you. It can be anything that rejuvenates you and fills your tank up. The options are as varied and unique as you are. Pick what works for you.
What are your favorite pit stops? How often do you schedule them throughout your day or week?
#overwhelm #burnout #selfcare #prioritizeyourself