When I first started my own business after working in corporate America for over ten years, I didn’t know how to take a day off. Beyond being terrified about where the revenue was going to come from, I didn’t know who to ask if it was okay to call out sick. There were no forms to fill out, nothing to report to HR. It was just me, myself and I figuring this thing out, one day at a time.
Maybe you’ve never started your own company, but since the global pandemic, most of you have been working from home, working much more autonomously than ever — in other words, figuring this thing out on your own.
Many have been experiencing increased pressure and stress since 2020. You may be working in an insufficiently set up home office and clocking hours that are no longer confined to “normal” work hours. You are more accessible than ever, which means you are always on. This isn’t news to you, I’m sure.
The pace doesn’t seem to be slowing, at least not in the U.S. But how well are you working? Hustle culture has led you to believe that you should just “push through” illnesses and personal problems in order to maintain productivity. But can you really contribute your best when you’re exhausted and overwhelmed?
Research tells us that to innovate, to create, you have to be relatively calm and coherent. That means, if you’re stressed out, you’re not going to be able to give it your creative best. So first, let’s address five of the most common causes of stress outside of work that require you to take time away from work:
- Childcare breakdowns
- Doctor’s appointments
- Transportation issues
- Family emergencies
- Being sick
None of these need explaining. If you don’t have kids, perhaps you have a pet and have pet-care breakdowns. Each of these is reason enough to take a day off. You don’t have to fall over yourself apologizing for needing to go to the doctor. Most doctors don’t work on Saturdays or Sundays, so you have no choice but to make the appointments during traditional work hours.
The issue is that you’ve forgotten that it’s okay to take a day. Just for you. Just for your family or your personal care.