Do find yourself unable to sit through a movie because you keep getting up to do “one more” task?
Furthermore, during those few minutes that you are able to sit down, you likely feel guilty for sitting there.
If this sounds familiar then you probably aren’t a champion relaxer. Actually, there’s a good chance that you’re quite the opposite—living more on the perfectionistic personality side of life.
Like many people, you likely enjoy staying busy and having a running list of accomplishments of which you are proud. But, rarely, do you bask in the joy of those accomplishments for more than a few minutes before you’re organizing your next big endeavor.
Basically, you’re a “go, go, go all the time” kind of person.
If you’re searching for a balance between busy and relaxing, here are 3 tips to help you find your chill.
1. Pencil It In
Perfectionistic personality types are driven, purpose-filled individuals. They can get a lot done and are typically dependable. If your foot is fitting into this perfectionistic personality shoes then consider this.
For those inventive souls who rely on their creativity to drive their business, one unexpected activity is scheduled into their daily agenda—exercise. Because of the creative powers of physical movement, many business owners actually view it as a part of doing business.
You, having a perfectionist personality, can hold relaxation in those same regards. Much like exercise, relaxing can improve your productivity and performance. The downtime allows your body and mind to sort of refuel. Without it, you get burned out and depleted of your positive energy.
So, just like creative business owners schedule exercise, pencil in your downtime.
This will help you to shift your mindset to think of it as a part of your accomplishments rather than simply being unproductive. That way, your downtime is really just a smarter way of working.
2. Find Your Kind of Chill
Not all relaxation is created equal. Some people like to binge-watch their favorite Netflix series. Others choose to spend some quality time with their large-bodied Gibson guitar.
The most important thing to keep in mind when you’re choosing the kind of relaxing you want to do is to focus on activities that recharge you. After you’ve done your chosen hobby or activity, your energy tank should feel full.
Whatever activity you choose for relaxing should recharge you physically and emotionally, or even both. If you don’t feel refreshed afterward, then you haven’t found your right kind of chill yet.
Make sure not to downplay the power of television. For some with a perfectionistic personality, watching television isn’t relaxing. But if you feel better after watching your favorite series, then go for it.
One tip, though, about watching television: stick to one show rather than surf around. Focusing on one show seems to offer more in terms of recharging.
3. Double Check Your Priority List
Does everything feel like a priority to you?
For most perfectionistic personality types, priority lists run the show. More often than not, this list is simply just a nagging feeling inside. Or it could be a whirlwind of thoughts screaming of all the things you have to do. Like, now!
If you have a perfectionistic personality then you know full well the annoying and exhausting feelings of urgency you experience in dealing with this notorious priority list.
So, challenge those feelings. In fact, challenge your mental priority list altogether. Those urgent things yelling at you to get done probably aren’t really as urgent as they feel. Perhaps you can bump them down the list a bit.
Remember that things can be important to you while still remaining off the “urgency” portion of your list. It’s those do-it-now projects that rue the day and ruin your moments of relaxation.
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If you’re ready to establish a healthy balance between the busyness of life and relaxing, then please contact me. Together we can navigate through the barriers that keep you from truly enjoying your accomplishments.
