The topic of down time and margin is part 2 of a series in a common coaching topic - time management.In part one, I asked, What if you had just the right amount of time? and a shared a 101 on time management. In this 2nd part we’ll discuss down time and margin in our schedule and how critical they are to our resiliency and well-being.
How much time do you take and make for down time?
What’s your margin in your schedule?
What do I mean by down time and margins?
Down time is just that. Time to just be, sit in nature, reflect, contemplate, do nothing with zero interruptions – no devices or things tugging at your focus. This word is from our technology revolution where machines need to be down for repair, setup, and need breaks between work. Even machines need down time.
Margin – think of a sheet of lined paper for school – it has margins all around – top, bottom, left and right. Historically this was a page break and for commentary. I like to think of margin as padding or wiggle room for my schedule from project management training. We all need some margin.
Margin, by Richard A. Swenson, M.D. states it well. ” Margin is the space between our load and our limits and is related to our reserves and resilience. It is a buffer, a leeway, a gap; the place we go to heal, to relate, to reflect, to recharge our batteries, to focus on the things that matter most. “. I learned about the importance of margins in life and often refer book to my clients. (see Resources link below)
Why do we need down time and margins?
By having scheduled margin in our daily schedule, we can get through those life happenings with less stress. Life happens – tire blows, kids get sick, traffic – in Austin it’s bad all the time now, your friend texts a life emergency. If we have no margin in our schedule we get freaked out and then are late and behind on what feels like everything.
Having built in some margin, wiggle room, down time, nothing scheduled time, we can then deal with the tire, make arrangements for the sick kid, get to our destination without the finger, and call our friend back.
Margin allows us to ride the waves of life vs. getting blown over by the wave. - Teresa Bitner
Here’s a scenario of a marginless life:
Former hectic high-tech day - I was triple booked conference call meetings and thought it was good idea and normal to have 2 headsets - one for each ear and an instant messaging meeting going was perfectly okay. Hey, I was working from home – the vision of work life balance – right? My then 4th grader told me that was crazy and stupid mom. Ha, mom had it so together - what did he know? (a lot in hindsight)
It was not a good idea, normal or even a little okay. I was frazzled, stressed out, couldn’t focus on anything, no work getting done, late to his brother’s school performance, and then got sick.
Why did I keep on getting sick? I lived like that every day and rarely took time off, drinking my three triple extra-large mochas a day plus Diet Dr. Peppers. When I did take a break or vacation was often too sick to enjoy it. That’s not a life that’s surviving – barely. But, I really thought I had it together? I didn't know about margin and downtime.
What does down time and margin look like?
Regular down time = daily and/or weekly
Longer Downtime = Vacation
How do you incorporate margin into your life?
Part 1 of this Series - 101 planning contains scheduling tips.
Quick reminder for Planning and Scheduling
1. Organize
2. Plan- key part plan and WRITE into your schedule
3. Control - No blowing off your down time.
You may be wondering, do I live a marginful life now? Mostly, I am human. I can tend to overschedule and find myself in freak-out frazzle no margin mode if I'm not paying attention.
I know what my values and priorities are. I very less frequently find myself in marginless mode.
When I do I re-plan and re organize. I have banned multitasking from my life – yes, really. I work to be 100% present in each moment and focus. Thankfully, I have a great spouse, family and friends who help me be accountable and check me when I start to get freaky. First sign/trigger, is the desire and feeling the need for a large triple mocha latte. I say to myself, girl - time to look at your schedule and put some downtime in there and way more margin. Your gonna freak out if not....Check yourself before you wreck yourself.
How much time do you take and make for down time?
What’s your margin in your schedule?
I’d love to hear your thoughts, comments and your own downtime and margin stories.
If you or someone you know would like support and learn more about margins, making schedules, held accountable, or time management, please reach out and contact me. I partner with those who've been knocked down my life and want to bounce back.
Much peace, love and blessings,
Teresa
Teresa Q. Bitner, M.Ed., PMP, ACC - Resiliency, Change and Loss Coach
Partnering with those who have been knocked down my life and want to build resiliency and move forward and live a bold life.
PS. Reminder Soul Love Book Signing Friday 8/31 7pm @ Book People. You and yours are invited! Details here. Love to see you there!
[email protected]
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
Author of Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again
Downtime and Margin Resources
Margin - Dr. Richard A. Swenson M.D.
A Minute of Margin - 180 Daily Reflections - Dr. Richard A. Swendon, M. D.
The Importance of Downtime https://www.huffingtonpost.com/rosalie-puiman/the-importance-of-downtime_b_6301440.html
Why your brain needs more downtime - https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mental-downtime/
Create & Protect Margin in your schedule - https://www.seedbed.com/create-and-protect-margin-in-your-schedule/
How much time do you take and make for down time?
What’s your margin in your schedule?
What do I mean by down time and margins?
Down time is just that. Time to just be, sit in nature, reflect, contemplate, do nothing with zero interruptions – no devices or things tugging at your focus. This word is from our technology revolution where machines need to be down for repair, setup, and need breaks between work. Even machines need down time.
Margin – think of a sheet of lined paper for school – it has margins all around – top, bottom, left and right. Historically this was a page break and for commentary. I like to think of margin as padding or wiggle room for my schedule from project management training. We all need some margin.
Margin, by Richard A. Swenson, M.D. states it well. ” Margin is the space between our load and our limits and is related to our reserves and resilience. It is a buffer, a leeway, a gap; the place we go to heal, to relate, to reflect, to recharge our batteries, to focus on the things that matter most. “. I learned about the importance of margins in life and often refer book to my clients. (see Resources link below)
Why do we need down time and margins?
- Our brains need time to rest and recuperate
- Increase productivity
- Regain focus and attention
- Increase creativity
- Increase memory
- Reduce stress
- Life Happens
By having scheduled margin in our daily schedule, we can get through those life happenings with less stress. Life happens – tire blows, kids get sick, traffic – in Austin it’s bad all the time now, your friend texts a life emergency. If we have no margin in our schedule we get freaked out and then are late and behind on what feels like everything.
Having built in some margin, wiggle room, down time, nothing scheduled time, we can then deal with the tire, make arrangements for the sick kid, get to our destination without the finger, and call our friend back.
Margin allows us to ride the waves of life vs. getting blown over by the wave. - Teresa Bitner
Here’s a scenario of a marginless life:
Former hectic high-tech day - I was triple booked conference call meetings and thought it was good idea and normal to have 2 headsets - one for each ear and an instant messaging meeting going was perfectly okay. Hey, I was working from home – the vision of work life balance – right? My then 4th grader told me that was crazy and stupid mom. Ha, mom had it so together - what did he know? (a lot in hindsight)
It was not a good idea, normal or even a little okay. I was frazzled, stressed out, couldn’t focus on anything, no work getting done, late to his brother’s school performance, and then got sick.
Why did I keep on getting sick? I lived like that every day and rarely took time off, drinking my three triple extra-large mochas a day plus Diet Dr. Peppers. When I did take a break or vacation was often too sick to enjoy it. That’s not a life that’s surviving – barely. But, I really thought I had it together? I didn't know about margin and downtime.
What does down time and margin look like?
Regular down time = daily and/or weekly
-
Take time to start or end day in: prayer, meditation, Remembrance, quiet time
- 5 minutes or more
- 5 minutes or more
-
Outside time – walk, walking dog, watering plants, digging in garden, swimming, tea on the porch, walk around block.
- Nature is important and refreshes us.
- It can be a quick 5 min break outside, breathe, look at sky and breathe again.
-
Exercise – great for our overall resiliency
- Move your body.
- It does not require a new outfit or joining a gym. No excuses
- Walk, dance, yoga.
- There's loads free resources on the internet if you need help starting.
-
A day or two off weekly.
- Doing less and spending quiet time, relaxing, resting and relating.
- Less social media and electronic devices
-
Sleep – so important for our brains to recharge
- Get enough quality sleep for you.
-
Women tend to need more than men.
- Notable exception – my mother who we swore never slept – vampire? :)
Longer Downtime = Vacation
- Min. of 3 days in a row to recharge
- Remove electronic devices – limit use at a minimum
-
Fast from social media
- Take at least 24 hours
- It can depresses us and sucks our precious time
-
Get away
- from your home at least for most of the day
- if not entirely - even to a local B&B.
-
Doing something different from your normal routine
- To gain new perspective and give brain a rest
- Not so over scheduled you feel stressed or exhausted after the vacation.
How do you incorporate margin into your life?
Part 1 of this Series - 101 planning contains scheduling tips.
Quick reminder for Planning and Scheduling
1. Organize
2. Plan- key part plan and WRITE into your schedule
3. Control - No blowing off your down time.
You may be wondering, do I live a marginful life now? Mostly, I am human. I can tend to overschedule and find myself in freak-out frazzle no margin mode if I'm not paying attention.
I know what my values and priorities are. I very less frequently find myself in marginless mode.
When I do I re-plan and re organize. I have banned multitasking from my life – yes, really. I work to be 100% present in each moment and focus. Thankfully, I have a great spouse, family and friends who help me be accountable and check me when I start to get freaky. First sign/trigger, is the desire and feeling the need for a large triple mocha latte. I say to myself, girl - time to look at your schedule and put some downtime in there and way more margin. Your gonna freak out if not....Check yourself before you wreck yourself.
How much time do you take and make for down time?
What’s your margin in your schedule?
I’d love to hear your thoughts, comments and your own downtime and margin stories.
If you or someone you know would like support and learn more about margins, making schedules, held accountable, or time management, please reach out and contact me. I partner with those who've been knocked down my life and want to bounce back.
Much peace, love and blessings,
Teresa
Teresa Q. Bitner, M.Ed., PMP, ACC - Resiliency, Change and Loss Coach
Partnering with those who have been knocked down my life and want to build resiliency and move forward and live a bold life.
PS. Reminder Soul Love Book Signing Friday 8/31 7pm @ Book People. You and yours are invited! Details here. Love to see you there!
[email protected]
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
Author of Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again
Downtime and Margin Resources
Margin - Dr. Richard A. Swenson M.D.
A Minute of Margin - 180 Daily Reflections - Dr. Richard A. Swendon, M. D.
The Importance of Downtime https://www.huffingtonpost.com/rosalie-puiman/the-importance-of-downtime_b_6301440.html
Why your brain needs more downtime - https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mental-downtime/
Create & Protect Margin in your schedule - https://www.seedbed.com/create-and-protect-margin-in-your-schedule/
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