Leaders are Readers

The smallest bookstore still contains more ideas of worth than all that has been presented in the entire history of television.

-- Andrew Ross


Television is the default entertainment source for such a large part of society, it seems blashemous to reproach.

However, to the audience of business owners and entrepreneurs who read these posts, it's absolutely vital to be aware of the quality of your entertainment/downtime choices.

Keep these guidelines in mind the next time you're looking for a way to unwind:

1. . Does your activity match your intention?
   If you want to unwind from a stressful day, then do something physical like taking a walk, a bicycle ride, or an exercise class. Sitting in front of the tube is often a way to collapse, not relax, after a hard day.
   
   
2. . Does your activity stimulate your body, mind, emotions?
   Call an old friend on the phone, go feed ducks at a park, join an after work softball league. Involve two or more areas.
   
   
3. . Does your activity make you feel more isolated or connected to others?
   Having friends outside the circle of work relationships is important for life-work balance. The characters from Friends don't count. People who know your name and know who you are do count.
   
   
4. . Does the activity match who you are today?
   Often, we perpetuate habits that were formed long ago. It's helpful to re-examine and upgrade aspects of your life. Ask yourself if this form of relaxation really meets the needs of who you are today and where you want to go with your life. Maybe you're ready for something bigger. Maybe something entirely different would really float your boat. Explore, discover!
   
   
5. . Set up your home environment to make effective relaxation easy and automatic
   This step involves proactive planning. It's so much harder to do certain things when you need to do them, compared to ahead of time. To set up a better relaxation environment at home, you might want to have meals prepared in advance (or at lease the shopping or prep work done before you arrive home). You might want to reorganize your CD collection or iPod play lists. You might want to schedule a tennis match with some buddies a week in advance and make it a regular appointment to avoid having to make arrangements each week.
   
   

So, what options have you thought of as a result of this article?