Time off from work to play is totally cool

Kara Martin Snyder offers pragmatic health & lifestyle options for frazzled entrepreneurs with all heart and no bullshit. Take care of you as much as you take care of business. Oh, and keep your shit together.

Q:

Dear Kara,

I’m an entrepreneur who LOVES to ski. Except every time I hit the slopes, it eats up most of my day. Then, I end up feeling guilty, stressed-out or trying to check my email the whole time. Help. –Tamara

A:

You wouldn’t try to ski in your office, right? So, why are you working on the mountain … or worse, just stressing out? Assuming you aren’t playing hooky to ski every day, taking some time off from work to play is totally cool. In fact, it’s essential for creativity and innovation, two pretty damn impactful things for entrepreneurs.

It’s easy for the whipsmart scientists who have studied this to say, “Go play.” As an ex-CPA, I like data and testing. As a coach, I like challenging people, so here goes:

1. Take a moment to jot down how you felt while skiing last time and how you felt when you got “back” to work. If you can’t recall the details or want to go all Type A on this task, head on out and torture yourself during 1 more day of skiing.
2. Give yourself permission to totally let go and unabashedly enjoy your next day of skiing with NO work allowed. Double-dog-dare you to leave your smartphone off or locked in your car…unless saving babies really is your job.
3. At the start of your next day back at work, jot down some notes about your energy level, stress level, concentration and attitude.
4. At the end of your first day back at work, jot down some notes about what you accomplished, any changes in your productivity and, most importantly, your sense of flow. Did anything just seem weirdly more figureoutable or feel easier?

Tried this and have an insight to share? Pop your thoughts into the comments below.