“Time out” – We all need to learn to take little “time outs” in our schedule to reconnect with ourselves – throughout the day, and throughout the week/month. Life has a tendency to move fast – and 2010 as a year is filled with energy and intent, and is keeping a pace that is difficult at times (at least for me) to keep up with. All is good – but there is so much good to pay attention to and nurture that we can get lost in the process.

Stop where you are several times a day and take inventory. How do you feel? Are you letting stress build up? Move your shoulders, arms and legs to release it. Are you accomplishing what you set out to do, or are you getting side-tracked? Set aside blocks of time to accomplish given tasks – the e-mails and voice-mails will still be there when you can get to them. If you can take a few minutes for a short walk outside – do so. I once worked in a hospital where there was an indoor seating area with plants and trees – a wonderful space to distress for a few minutes.

Try planning short getaways – perhaps a three-day weekend to a nearby area that interests you, or that connects you with something you have a passion for. Perhaps you want to plan a dinner out for you and your family (or significant other) in the middle of the week – “just because”. Maybe a day off in the middle of the week is in order – a spa day where all of the attention is on you, and you can relax and unwind.

A time out can be whenever you want it to be – whenever you need to be refreshed and refocus. Time outs are fun – take advantage of them!