Ever notice that life is cyclical? That there are distinct times that come and go every day, week, month…..year? Almost like we are living life on a repeating track that we navigate every time cycle….much like a race car on a track.
Many of are at point of the track when productivityaround us starts to ease up. No, not the first round of March Madness, the holiday season. It seems like every meeting I attend this week has fewer and fewer attendees and often ends with ‘see you next year’. As classes end, family trips to Grandma’s begin in earnest and the pressures of business ease up.
Maybe your among the millions that are turning down the dimmer switch. Slowing things down to take that much needed pause between now and January 2nd when everything ramps back up to full speed again (and all of those resolutions you’ve committed to go into effect). Back to the racing analogy, you are ready to take your foot off the gas and just sit back and coast for a bit. Good for you.
Now, I am all for getting much needed rest.
I am sure you have been hard charging all year long.
Putting in the hours and the effort.
Getting stuff done.
Delivering value and executing.
Charging hard down the straight away at peak speed……but remember, the track of life has turns and twists……and drivers who don’t take their foot off the gas as they enter the turn end up slamming into the wall. Which is not normally a desirable outcome in a race, especially the race we call ‘life’.
I just wish it were as simple as taking your foot off the gas for a week or so. Yes, entering the turn at full throttle leads to a visit with the wall…..but even if you take your foot off the gas but don’t pay attention to the turn and instead, taking your eyes off the road, you still are heading for a crash. Also not a desired outcome in the race of life.
So what is a responsible driver to do?
Pull in for a pit stop……every vehicle needs a good pit stop.
But what is the point of a pit stop?
To refuel.
To refresh parts that wear down.
To adjust the settings on the vehicle ultimately leading to the vehicle performing optimally.
A pit stop is a highly focused series of events designed to return the vehicle to the track with the best chance of long term success.
So if you are fortunate enough to be able to execute a pit stop this season (sorry Sales, I know this is your straightaway to the checkered flag and you will be hard charging) do so with intentionality.
How can you refuel? (quality time with family, prioritizing self-care, etc.)
What are the settings in your life that need calibration? (how are you spending your time and is it feeding your soul?)
What parts need replacing? (prioritization, opportunities for growth, etc.)
What tools do you possess/or can acquire to execute the pit stop? (Mentors, Podcasts, Books, etc.)
So if you are at the point on the track where you can pull into the pit, use the time wisely, with at least a partial focus on your restoration, and you can reenter the race in peak possible condition. Take your foot off the gas with intention but keep your eyes on the road.