Benefits of Productive Time Off

There are times when it’s necessary to take time off to straighten out our thoughts and think about what directions we’re taking our lives in. In today’s competitive world, taking time off from work can be somewhat taboo to society, as if it’s a characteristic of being lazy, unproductive, or indifferent to responsibility. There is a fine line between taking productive time off and having an indifference to responsibility through unemployment.

Time off is important to help prevent burnout. With the average workday’s hours increasing, the time we have to clear our minds and refresh ourselves after a long workweek is often too short. When we feel we’re stuck in a cycle of clocking in and clocking out, life can start to feel dull and gray. The monotony of doing a job for the sake of earning a paycheck can take a toll on a person.

While it may initially seem counter-intuitive, productive time off is necessary to become a more effective person – especially if we’re feeling burned-out. When we take time off, we’re able to clear our minds, read the Bible, pray, exercise, and have time to examine which direction we want to go in. Despite the benefits, time off may prove difficult when we’re pressured by society to work hard regardless of whether it’s you want to do or not. While it’s great to be a productive worker, we need to eventually do what we love in order to be truly productive - not only ourselves but for our contribution to society.

While it may not always be convenient to take time off due to financial reasons, we can make time in our schedules to prioritize what we need to do to get where we want to be. Instead of spending time on Facebook and Youtube, we can spend time to think about where we’ll be in five or ten years if we keep doing what we are currently involved with. Unless you make a conscious decision to change, you will keep moving in the direction you are already headed in.

This life is a gift and it its purpose doesn’t revolve around making a set amount of money. Instead of joining the stampede of those who are working just to make some money, start doing something you love. Just because you have a college degree in something unrelated to your passion doesn’t mean that you need to keep doing work related to that field of study.

We develop as people over time, and our interests do to. I have a degree in cultural anthropology and I haven’t done anything related to my field except for live in a foreign country. However, my college degree opened unexpected doors. I began teaching English in a foreign country, met my wonder wife, and now I’m a full-time photographer in South Korea. It’s been an unexpected journey, but thanks to passion, I’m happy; and most importantly, doing what I love.

Take time to think what you have to do. Passion opens up doors you didn’t know would be there until you try. God know our needs and understands our hearts – passion doesn’t exist just to remain dormant. Follow what you love to do and opportunities will show up. While you may not always know what to expect, at least you’ll be happy and feel alive by doing what you love.

For similar related reading, please check out: Contributing to Humanity; Not Competing For Profit.