You Don’t Always Have To Do Something
I’ve talked about this a few times before but several years ago I was addicted to TV. I would get done with work and get excited to watch five hours of TV everyday (seriously).
On one of my favorite episodes of the show The West Wing, one of the main characters was the chief of staff and was super busy. He had two phones that were constantly ringing, he had hundreds of emails, he had meeting after meeting.
His schedule was out of control and as soon as I watched that episode I wanted that to be me (dumb I know). For the next few months I tried to duplicate that schedule and took on way too much. I had to find out the hard way that what works for a TV show doesn’t really work in real life. I completely crashed and burned.
Now fast-forward until today. I have a pretty crazy schedule these days. Between speaking literally all over the world , my first published book coming out May 1 (you can still join the launch team), coaching, consulting, creating products and courses. And oh yeah, being a husband and father to three kids and everything else that life sometimes throws at you, my schedule now does feel like that TV show.
It’s OK to embrace the quiet moments
Sometimes I want to scream but I wouldn’t trade this for anything in the world because I’m living out my dream. However, today I noticed something: I have completely forgotten how to embrace the quiet moments.
A little bit ago I was listening to a podcast by my friend Jared Latigo and he was interviewing a productivity expert. Mike talked about a lot of great tips but one that stuck out was email. He talked about not letting your email control your day and not to check it in the morning.
Now I heard this and said right on! Did I actually put it into practice? Honestly, NO! I check email and social media right when I wake up, there is still sleep in my eyes and I’m reading new emails. So Sad 
Today I accomplished a lot, I mean a whole lot. I accomplished so much that I was sitting on the couch thinking what’s next? Immediately I wanted something to do and reached for my phone to manual get the new emails. As I was doing it a voice in my head said “what are you doing?”
I put the phone down, opened the front door and relaxed on the front porch, simply enjoying the fresh. At first it was hard to sit still and not “do something” but I got adjusted to relaxing pretty quickly.
We all need some down time
I know you’re pretty busy working on your dreams, there’s always going to be something to do related to your dream. I also know that you want to be living out your dream right now, so you have to take advantage of any free time.
Despite all of that I want to submit to you that you still need that down time, you still need to take advantage of all those quiet, relaxing moments. If you don’t you’ll eventually melt down, trust me, I’ve been there 
Those quiet moments are a gift and we need to embrace them, we can go to the busyness of life afterwards.
The reality
None of us are Donald Trump, so more than likely there’s not an important enough email that has to be checked right when we wake up. More than likely there isn’t a Facebook update that has to be seen immediately when your phone dings. As a matter of fact, turn those alerts off, I did and love it.
I understand the urge but now I’m understanding even more the urge to relax, I’m understanding that you have to take breaks.
If you are chasing your dreams don’t let your dreams become something you dread. If you are doing what you love, don’t let that thing become something you eventually want to quit.
Use your time wisely
Take advantage of any opportunity
Truly life your life
BUT embrace the quiet moments, enjoy your down time!
Have you ever struggled with the need to constantly do something? Do you have any tips on how to enjoy the quiet moments?
