When you own your own business, the line between work and free time is often grey, blurry and elusive.
Entrepreneurs work a lot – sometimes every day of the week, as I often do.
But being an entrepreneur is a creative act, no matter what field you’re in. And in order to fuel our creativity, we have to remember to step away from our work, take time for ourselves, and have down time to keep our creative edge alive.
In my own business, I do my best work when I can get focused and really sink into the flow of a project. But sometimes, staying focused and at my laptop for too long hinders my ability to tap into the kind of imagination and simplicity that leads to truly great design – the kind that strikes a chord and resonates.
Here’s the thing I always try to remember, and it is my saving grace:
When I step away from focusing on the creative problem I am trying to solve, my brain naturally finds the solution.
Refreshing my mind, finding new inspiration – these are investments that make me more productive and help me produce more profound work.
It’s like Albert Einstein said: “I think 99 times and I find nothing. I stop thinking, swim in the silence, and the answers come to me.”
As we near the end of summer, there are endless opportunities to venture outside, practice self-care, and prioritize downtime, knowing that these kinds of habits will help you be more successful in your business and more able to enjoy your work.
Breathe in some downtime.
Research on naps, meditation, nature walks and the habits of exceptional artists and athletes reveals that mental breaks increase productivity and encourage creativity.
Sometimes you need to slow down to move ahead.
Slowing down is good for creativity and productivity – not the opposite.
So take your weekends. Take your evenings. Set aside your magical Sundays and take the opportunities to hit pause and shift your mindset.
It’s exactly what a creative person needs.
What’s your favorite way to reset? To find inspiration or practice self-care? Leave a comment below and let us know!
All illustrations ©2019 Sharna Fulton. Find more of her work on Instagram @sharnafulton.