Pushing Yourself Too Much? Take a Break. Refocus.
Last week was a busy week. I felt like I needed to clear my head, so I decided to take a 45 minute walk to pick up my son from his daycare, rather than sitting stuck in Miami rush hour traffic.
Before I headed out the door, my husband suggested, “Just go for a walk, and don’t listen to anything.” What he meant was that instead of plugging yet another motivational podcast into my ears to receive yet another lesson on self-improvement, living a better life, or becoming a better version of myself, I would just walk with no other companion than the thoughts and feelings inside my head.
I replied to him, "That’s a great idea! If I hear another motivational podcast or read one more inspirational quote, I might just smack someone." I had read and listened to too much information in the past few days. It had become overwhelming.
And what did this nice walk through the tree-lined streets of Miami Beach make me realize? Two things, really:
Balance is the key. There is a limit to everything. Even things considered “healthy” and beneficial can be too much, and even harmful, if overdone.
While I am a strong believer in pushing myself, and always pursuing growth and improvement, it is equally as important to recognize when we simply need a break. When a motivational podcast is not what you need, and when something as simple as hearing the faint sound of the wind brushing against the trees will do far more to clear up your mind and put new energy into your body.
Purposeful actions are essential. While seeking new and insightful information can be helpful for growth, real progress comes from focusing on one thing at a time and—most importantly—putting it in action.
What that meant for me was:
Professionally, I decided to dedicate myself to building relationships and performing one small act every day to start to create a strong network (e.g., my calendar is now always full of scheduled conversations or events I need to attend).
Personally, I committed to practicing yoga for at least 30 minutes a day, something I’ve managed to do for almost two weeks by now.
Ultimately, this walk became a powerful reminder that peace of mind isn't found in endless consumption or constant pursuit of improvement. Instead, it's achieved by finding the right balance between growth and rest, between striving and simply being. As I strolled through the quiet streets, I felt a renewed sense of clarity and tranquility. Later in the week, by consciously choosing to focus on one meaningful idea at a time and give myself permission to unplug from the constant stream of advice, this sense of calm has stayed with me.
