You know how when you attend a performance at the theatre or go to a hockey game, and there’s that time during which all the action STOPS and the players file off the ice, the performers step off the stage, and the lights go up and the audience files out of their seats in search of a drink, or a snack, or the bathroom?
Yep. Intermission.
All the big events have Intermissions, and so I wonder why it is that we are often afraid to take an intermission in our business?
Is it because we are too afraid to stop moving? To stop “pushing?” To stop “doing?” Or is it because we’ve bought into the whole “The show must go on” AT ALL COSTS idea that we have forgotten that even THAT show had an intermission? Sure, the “show went on,” but they still took a break at half-time!
Perhaps we see taking a break, or pause, as some sort of sign of failure, some sense of “I guess I am just not made of tough enough stuff” to muscle through…that taking a break means we are weak…not capable.
Or maybe we think that in taking an intermission, we are somehow saying we aren’t “committed enough” to our success, that being truly committed somehow means that we don’t stop, we don’t rest, we just keep going, through thick and thin.
Well, as I am frequently known to do: I am calling BS on this one.
I took an intermission on Monday to grieve with my family over the loss of our beloved cat, Bella.
I am taking an intermission on Friday to spend the day with my best friend.
And I am taking an entire week’s intermission next week to spend Spring Break with my kiddos.
Why?
Because my life is more important to me than my business.
Because I am so much more than the work that I do.
Because the world will go on when I take a break, but if I do not take a break, I may not personally be able to go on.
And because I know the importance of walking my talk, of making sure I am doing the things I coach others to do, and of ensuring that my life and my values and my business are in total alignment as much and as often as possible.
So dear friends, I’m taking an intermission.
The show WILL go on…but in the meantime, I’m going to go grab a snack.
Big love,
xo
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Rebecca Liston helps her clients predict, pivot, and compete in an increasingly complex global marketplace. Her clients quickly uncover the root of their challenges and know the actions to take to overcome them. A six-time nominee for the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Award, Rebecca combines business strategy with intuition, giving her clients the edge on forward-thinking, elegant answers to their most complicated problems. Her clients are entrepreneurs with CEO-mindsets and executives with entrepreneurial instincts. She is based in London, Ontario. What if you could get the answer to your biggest business challenge, in one sitting? Visit rebeccaliston.com to find out more.
