I want to give you a quick, easy tip to help create harmony during the holidays…
Last week I had the privilege of being part of the Press at the largest women’s conference in the US. The Massachusetts Conference for Women had 10,000 women gather together to discuss and learn about success, inspiration and motivation. There was one insight Shonda Rhimes shared that stood out to me… her simple tip is especially helpful during the holidays!
Shonda Rhimes, who is the writer and producer of many of TV’s mega-hits like Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice & Scandal, shared a Simple Solution that helps her find calm in the midst of her super, busy life!
Her solution… shutting off her email after 7pm and on weekends! Yes, you read that correctly!
This big time Hollywood writer/producer powers off to give herself a chance to take a break from the stressful responsibilities her role entails. When she initially began to implement this strategy it was challenging, so she created a simple way to let those around her know that she was creating a structure and boundary for her life. She accomplished this by including the following in the signature of her emails, “I don’t work after 7PM or on weekends”. This simple message clearly articulated her new parameters so that those around her know what to expect. This simple and straightforward technique allows her to “power down” and recharge at night and on weekends.
I love this idea! Turning the technology off gives you room to breath and relax in a world where it is often expected that we respond to family, friends or business obligations at all hours of the day.
Give yourself the gift of time and space this holiday season.
Happy Soaring!
XOXO
Image Credit: Marla Aufmuth for Getty Images