Look at almost any electronic, when it's not working, what do we do?
Reset it.
Unplug it.
Unplugging fixes almost any electronic problem we usually have.
You plug it back in, it reboots, and it's (hopefully) working better than ever.
Why don't we do the same for our mind and body?
How do you reset or unplug?
In today's fast-paced world, we're always busy, moving a mile a minute, always onto the next thing...
Heck, you're probably skimming this, thinking about what you have to do next (gotcha!).
Doesn't it seem fair that we should unplug and reset to keep things running smoothly?
Here's the thing that most people don't get about unplugging...
It's about quality, not quantity.
Although it sounds great, we don't need a 14-day vacation in Aruba to "unplug."
If the winter keeps dragging out like it has I might say differently next week, but I digress.
Unplugging and resetting is not about always about laying on the couch all day, or blocking something off for 8-10 hours.
It's about the quality.
You have to find what resets you.
Here's how I break it down.
Daily.
Weekly.
Monthly.
Quarterly.
Annually.
(side note: that's pretty much how I break down anything; goals, finances, etc).
Every day, try to just take 5-10 minutes and reset.
I personally like to do it first thing in the morning.
That means getting up early before everyone else in the house gets up, and I meditate for 10-15 minutes, then read for the remaining hour before babies start crying and wives start complaining (kidding, kind of).
I treat that time (especially the meditation) as a reset, I unplug.
It doesn't take much time, but it totally kicks my day off on the right foot.
Once a week, I aim for something a little longer, maybe in the 2-4 hour range.
This could be a date night, a walk on the beach, a round of golf, or even a relaxing day with family.
Again, unplugging doesn't mean sitting on the couch watching the Bachelor (unless that really resets you), it's finding what reignites the flame.
Monthly I try to go somewhere, even if it's one night.
There is something to be said for just getting out of your element.
Sometimes it's to a workshop or seminar where I stay overnight at a hotel, or sometimes it's just staying over the in-laws.
Quarterly and Annually I try to plan bigger things like vacations and multiple consecutive days of unplugging and recharging.
Here's the most important part about unplugging and resetting...
I firmly believe if you don't do it daily, you're not working at your 100% optimal rate.
I know it sounds crazy to take that much time for YOU, but here's the thing.
I would much rather be 100% emotionally and physically present when I'm with my friends, family, and co-workers, then grinding through, never resetting, and being at 50%.
You're taking that small amount of time to make the rest of the time that much more productive, efficient, and fulfilling.
Make sense?
How do you unplug and reset?
1% Better.
Dedicated to Your Success,
Doug Spurling