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Work: How Much of Your Life Will It Claim? Life Formula Post

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Charlemagne International Properties BRE# 01147470

 "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."  That's a phrase most of us are familiar with, and by the way, the same goes for all the Jills of the world too.  If you're slipping into the category of working more but enjoying it less, then it is time to make certain aspects of your job more enjoyable.  Feeling dull is not good for the soul. 

In a previous Life Formula post I stated I try to allocate one-third of my life to work, one-third to rest and one-third to play.  There is planned overlapping and sometimes an activity falls into the trilogy category. At those moments there is real bliss and harmony in knowing I'm not clocking in or out of a life category, but enjoying my life in the present moment.

Work is defined as, "Sustained physical or mental effort to overcome obstacles and achieve an objective or result."  It takes much effort to achieve real estate results today.  It stand to reason if we exert intense effort for eight hours then we need an equal amount of time to rest and recover before we can return refreshed and ready to suit up for another day in the trenches.

A few ways to incorporate pleasure/play and rest during the work day:

1)  Music is a great stress reliever; it plays softly in the background all day at my office.

2)  Move away from the computer screen; too many hours staring at a monitor creates eye, neck and shoulder strain.  A recent news report said hours hunched over a keyboard can shorten your life. 

3)  Stand up and stretch; take water, restroom or mini sunshine and fresh air breaks throughout the day.

4)  No time for exercise?  Incorporate more steps into your workday by parking a half block away from homes you are previewing and errand stops.  The extra surge of blood to the brain will increase your energy and problem solving abilities.  You will accomplish more with less effort and time. Think of exercise as a time saver, not a time waster.

5) Take a time out; a 15 minutes rest will clear the mind and refresh the body.  I keep a yoga mat at the office, in my car and at home.  After a few stretches and meditation or a nap I'm recharged and ready to return to work. On days when I must move from my day at the office to an evening function with seamless effort those minutes on the mat are priceless. 

6)  Add a new element of challenge and risk.  Routine can become boring.  Take on a new challenge, do something outside your comfort zone.  This is a great way to start your creative juices flowing.   Robotic work is dull.  Dare to fail.

 We can make work less stressful by adding a few pleasurable and restful moments during our hours on the job.  Work does not need to be drudgery, nor do we need to become "dull" while engaged in our chosen method of making a living.

 

Norma Toering - REMAX Palos VerdesNorma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

PalosVerdesLifestyle - Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.


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Comments(17)

Lisa Hicks
Hoang Realty - Augusta, ME
Serving Central and Southern Maine

Norma - great reminder.  I especially like idea of the 15 minute time out.  There are some days when it seems that all I do is RUN...a few minutes resting would help immensely!  Thanks for sharing!

Oct 30, 2010 09:44 AM
Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

Hi Norma, I work from my home office a lot - when drudge-brain sets in, I go outside and take my dog for a quick walk.  Sometimes we go to the nearby park.  He gives me a clue when it is time - comes over and sits on my foot.  :)

Oct 30, 2010 09:48 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Norma, this is just a wonderful post.  I am trying to take serious time off, really take it off.  It's a process!

Oct 30, 2010 11:04 AM
'The Diamond Group' 'A Cut Above The Rest'
The Diamond Group @ Keller Williams - Lubbock, TX
Lubbock Texas Real Estate

Norna you are so right.  I started taking Sundays off many years ago and enjoy my business much more since I hve a day to rest.  People will respect your time if you set limits and take the time for family and rest

Oct 30, 2010 06:16 PM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

I love the idea of sunshine breaks.  My work office has 4 walls and a door, no windows.  I would even enjoy a rain break!  I just want to look outside!  Great post!

Oct 31, 2010 07:08 AM
Maria Marriott
Executive Properties - Roseville, CA
Realtor - DBRealEstateTeam.com

Norma: Getting alway of the computer screen is the hardest one for me. Thanks for the reminder. I finally got the exercise in control after a few months working too much and taking less care of myself. I love the list. All the best.

Nov 01, 2010 03:18 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Lisa - Most workers that must clock in and out receive two 15 minutes breaks plus 30 minutes for lunch--it's not wise to work too long without a break.

Nov 01, 2010 03:56 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Virginia - Smart dog--listen to him.

Nov 01, 2010 03:58 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Patricia - You're right, it is a process.  I remember the first two week vacation I took--I checked my cell phone multiple times throughout the day...now I even limit those checks to three times a day.  It helps so much to have the business in capable hands while I'm away--an occasional text or email and I'm free to enjoy my trip. 

Nov 01, 2010 04:02 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Elizabeth - I'm working on taking one full day off--I'm better at taking a half day off here and there but a full day does make a difference.

Nov 01, 2010 04:03 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Donna - I love sunshine breaks--I solve some of my biggest real estate problems while walking and enjoying a dose of sunshine.

Nov 01, 2010 04:05 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Maria, Thank you.  A few small changes can make our hours at work so much more enjoyable.

Nov 01, 2010 04:06 AM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

Norma, great post, I've been trying to schedule time away from the computer!  It seems it's become the hub of my universe, although I know it's not healthy to spend as much time as I do in front of it.  Thanks for the tips.

Nov 01, 2010 04:50 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Norma,  In our new office we agents each have a private cubicle.  Fine.  But I notice that I like to get up and look out a window more often than before.  The private cubicle is great but the lack of windows to the outside world is a drawback !

Nov 01, 2010 06:25 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Pamela, I spend more time in front of my computer screen than ever before--I'm trying to schedule mini breaks throughout the day and it is not easy.  So much of our work is now computer based.

Nov 01, 2010 10:03 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Bill - Natural light is important in regulating our natural rhythms--take those "window breaks" whenever you feel the need.

Nov 01, 2010 10:05 AM
Deb Harshman
Long and Foster - Christie's International Real Estate & Owner of Staged Home Decor - Potomac, MD
REALTOR & ASPMaster Stager, The Selling Advantage

As I sat down in front of my laptop this morning, I thought "hummm I need some time off" How do I do it?

I need to refresh.  I fear neglecting the rush now will result in lost business as the winter comes.  I hate to think of losing opportunity when it comes. 

When I take time off I do begin anew and I will do that, just as soon as business slows down!  Smile me...

Nov 02, 2010 05:17 AM