How Does An Entrepreneur.. Relax

[GuestUserX09]

Tires spinning in the mud. One thousand gallons of intention fuel and an ounce of action.

Merging into the fastlane in a sea of slowlaners that see your signal but just won't let you over. Heck, they may even ram you out of frustration..

One podcast says to work 24/7, sleep is for the weak. Another says to find your inner flow and take it easy.

The stress of keeping unique goals for yourself, one's that you may only find held by people on the internet and rarely in person.

... I'm just brainstorming here. I've just had the first month of business where I made more than my old day job. But, I feel like I've been dragging a big bag of bricks along.

I was answering an email just now and a Twin Turbo Audi R8 passed by my house, downshifted as well, to alert the neighborhood of it's presence (That's awesome, I'm not hating). Similar things happen about once a week at least when I'm out and about... But, I felt something.

I'm not sure if it's anger, impatience, frustration, or all of the above.. I understand that the fastlane is still always a process of meaningful steps but it almost hurts when I see people who are already where I am trying to be.

I recognize successful people and what it took behind the scenes, I respect it, always. But how does one... relax? Does anyone really have the calm/grateful/24-7hustle balance that I've read in so many books?

Right now my balance is pretty much nonexistent, a lot of work gets done but only with high blood pressure and the occasional day of dropping most planned responsibilities.

I don't mean to be dramatic but.. I think it could be a informational discussion.

 

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[AndrewNC]

How do YOU relax? We all are wired differently.

 

[Runum]

Dozen people, dozen opinions. You have to find what works for you.

You also have to recognize that business and life happen in different stages or phases.

What is good for a 20 year old with a fledgling business does not work for a family guy in his 30's building a business on the side.

I find that whether I am growing or nurturing a new idea or expanding an existing business I have to always have an open mind and eye coupled with a good filter. The open mind and eye to see and explore new ideas or thoughts. The filter to decide whether the new ideas are really worth my time.

I sleep about 6 hours a day. I work about 12-14 hours a day. Sometimes I might sleep 4 hours and work the other 20 if needed.

Relaxing, might get a drink and watch a movie with the wife, go to see a basketball game, shoot guns, take a drive, play video game, work in the yard, or read.

It's your life and you have to find your groove.

Good luck.

 

[GuestUserX09]

@AndrewNC That video is great man. I'm still working to find what works best for me to recharge and "clear out" a bit. That mountain view could probably do. I know it's a question without a certain answer but I appreciate the input.

 

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[GuestUserX09]

You also have to recognize that business and life happen in different stages or phases.

That is a well needed reminder. I think the current phases for me just have gotten to require more than I'm comfortable with, but I'm fine with that knowing it's just part of where I'm currently at and doing.

 

[illmasterj]

If you are very driven to make it work, remember that being sick/unproductive/etc is not going to help you get to your goal. My wife used to be a school teacher. She used to go to work when she was unwell only to end up extremely unwell a few days later having to take a week off. She couldn't "neglect the kids". I'd ask her, what is worse, a teacher that takes a few sick days during the year and knows when enough work is enough, or a teacher that gets sick for weeks on end, eventually burning out and quitting the profession?

That and, who wants to be an overweight multimillionaire with no friends?

For me, the goal is holistic. Do I want to be rich? Yes. But I also want to be healthy, be happy, look good, have a happy family, be friends with nice people and so on. By thinking about the bigger picture, I need to take time out from business building to hit the gym, otherwise I'll not fulfil two of my goals. Similarly I need to socialise with others. The two actions also give me time out from business, energizing me the next time I sit down at my laptop.

As MJ says, pay yourself first. Just remember, that isn't always in the form of money.

 

[Yoda]

Sit by a fire.
Have a glass of wine.
Read.
Meditate.
Hobbies.
Nap.
Hot tub/sauna.
Get a massage.
Go for a drive.
Walk in nature.

These, for me, do well.

You'll notice how quiet each one is.

 

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[GuestUserX09]

As MJ says, pay yourself first. Just remember, that isn't always in the form of money.

I love the perspective you have, just asked myself which one of those teacher examples of rather be.

 

[GuestUserX09]

@Yoda its sort of funny, that's pretty much everything on my "to-do once all this work stuff is straightened out" list. Good reminder to sneak some of those in.. Actually did the nature walk this morning, was halfway freaking out that I'd miss emails. Lol.. I think I see the point now.

 

[TonyStark]

Work out. I lift weights, there's nothing better.

And cleaning. It gives me a huge sense of calm and serenity when I see my home, room, car, and dog clean.

 

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[CLE]

As I age I require less and less material possessions it seems. A good day for me is a walk or bike ride with my wife and dogs a long the river or in the mountains followed with a decent meal(nothing expensive),a few drinks, and some hot tub time in front of the tv.

 

[Alexcump]

I thought I was the only one with this question. I always had big dreams and I'm working very hard to get there. I know I will get there eventually. I have started a business two years ago, we are still a start-up and this means I have to work a lot. At the beginning, I didn't know when to draw a line and call it a day. I was working 14-18 hours a day. Mostly sitting at my desk and doing my work. When I was taking a longer break I was mad at myself that I wasted so much time instead of working for my business. Slowly, I realised that this is not productive and I'm not going to reach my dreams in this way (at least not healthy enough).

So now, I get my relaxation from a good 6-8 hours of sleep per night and I'm not working late nights anymore. I prefer to go to sleep early and get up around 6am and start working. Apart from this, I occasionally play some video games, read, go to the gym with my friend where we talk about different topics as well (is not just lifting things), spa/sauna, swimming and watching a movie with my girlfriend. I think all of us, should be reasonable with themselves and spend a little bit of time for them as well.

 

[Growth & Learn]

For me relaxation is about healthy habits and building positive routines. Meditation, yoga, planning, having routines where I implement the most important activities first etc.

 

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[GuestUserX09]

@Alexcump Totally the same way as you started. I really beat myself up over breaks that went longer than expected and when the last item on the to-do list doesn't get finished.

I guess the struggle is that with a 9-5, there's no work required after 5. Obviously that's not my goal but I'd like to set real breaks that actually feel like a recharge or like I'm not actually "on the clock" 24/7 as an entrepreneur..

 

[SteveO]

What is this relax shit? Who has time for that?

 

[healthstatus]

What is this relax shit? Who has time for that?

Relax when you are dead....

 

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[Runum]

What is this relax shit? Who has time for that?

Awe come on Steve, you are burning it up right now and have in the past. But I do know that you did your share of running and playing softball while living in Scottsdale.

Just recently you were taking a long drive and talked about being bored.

Different season of life and business.

Relaxation takes many different forms.

 

[SteveO]

Just recently you were taking a long drive and talked about being bored.

Yes, bored during a drive back from visiting family. It was only a couple of hours though.

 

[SteveO]

Awe come on Steve, you are burning it up right now and have in the past. But I do know that you did your share of running and playing softball while living in Scottsdale.

I still play softball and will be running again soon. What does that have to do with relaxing?.... I was just kidding around with the comment I made but relaxing is not something that some of us do much of.

 

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[Jake]

Sometimes I go up to a sky bar / restaurant. I have a nice dinner with family or friends. I take in the view of the city from 45+ stories up....

and take photos of my products.

 

[blueoceanblues]

Headspace works for me
https://www.headspace.com/

 

[GuestUserX09]

@blueoceanblues I've tried it in the past. Think it was pretty helpful.. May give it another try

 

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[HyperFocus]

Push the weights

Relax by laying down

Meditate

Be thankful

Strategize the future

Analyze ideas

 

[Madhu]

Watch TV.

I know TV is frowned upon by a lot of people as being dumb. But I find watching a good TV show gives my brain a chance to switch off and I usually get some good insights as a result!

 

[Ninjakid]

Yesterday I saw a Tesla parked in a driveway and I lit up.

I thought, "damn that's nice! I can't wait to get me one of those!"

That's the difference between our thinking.

I look at something I want, and I have the feeling that that's mine already.

When you look at a car you like, you feel like it's so far away from you, and you slide into a pit of despair.

Maybe you're pursuing wealth because you think it's going to fix you, and when you get reminded constantly that you're not wealthy, it makes you feel worse about yourself.

If you want something, you need to feel like that's your reality right now.

And if you felt that you were wealthy now, such things wouldn't phase you.

P.S. don't take this too critically

 

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[illmasterj]

Watch TV.

I know TV is frowned upon by a lot of people as being dumb. But I find watching a good TV show gives my brain a chance to switch off and I usually get some good insights as a result!

Hell yes. I find watching a half hour or so of TV before bed helps me to switch off. If I read or learn something I'm laying in bed thinking for the next 3 hours.

 

[GuestUserX09]

@Ninjakid
I know exactly what you mean but that's not me the last few years at least. It's more of like.. "Hey! That guys in my car." and then it goes.. "Oh, wait, It's not mine yet." and then it goes.."Hmm I'm overwhelmed with the work necessary to have that car in my garage".

I get solid work done but seeing stuff like that makes me feel hurried/anxious/frustrated about not being there yet. I guess this thread was asking for recommendations on how to take a chill pill without actually removing ambitious goals that require a sort of 24/7 work hustle.

I'd admit to being materialistic as far as cars, watches, and shoes but mostly as an enthusiast than to show off.

 

[Ninjakid]

@Ninjakid
I know exactly what you mean but that's not me the last few years at least. It's more of like.. "Hey! That guys in my car." and then it goes.. "Oh, wait, It's not mine yet." and then it goes.."Hmm I'm overwhelmed with the work necessary to have that car in my garage".

I get solid work done but seeing stuff like that makes me feel hurried/anxious/frustrated about not being there yet. I guess this thread was asking for recommendations on how to take a chill pill without actually removing ambitious goals that require a sort of 24/7 work hustle.

I'd admit to being materialistic as far as cars, watches, and shoes but mostly as an enthusiast than to show off.

I actually totally get how you feel. I'm the same way kinda. I'm a narcissist who loves having the best of everything.

With you're work ethic, very soon you'll have the "F*ck you" money. But right now, you've definitely got the "F*ck you" work ethic and ambition. You can pride yourself on that.

 

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[GuestUserX09]

But right now, you've definitely got the "F*ck you" work ethic and ambition.

Hmm that's a very new way of thinking about it for me.. I can work with that

 

[OscarDeuce]

A long time ago, I figured out that business is my hobby. Why play golf, for example (unless I'm good enough for the PGA tour, which I'm apparently not), when you can spend that time starting a new business? So, when I want to relax, I start a new business (working on two at the moment) or seek ways to improve an existing one.

Cheers,
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