That is the name of one of the chapters in my book. I realize that it sounds counterintuitive, but in my experience many times that is the ONLY WAY that you are going to Relax.

Most people lead very busy lives. As a result, the whole idea of Relaxing is rarely considered. Many people actually felt GUILTY whenever they have taken the time to Relax, and therefore tend to shy away from doing it again.

I am not saying for you to be lazy. To the contrary, I want you to operate at full capacity at everything that you do. The challenge comes in these next two words:

BURN OUT.

A very financially successful acquaintance of mine said this years ago to a person who was asking about his lifestyle: “I work until I get tired; then I play until I get bored.”

Since not everyone has that much financial freedom, I will bring it back to the majority of us. We may not be able to have his lifestyle, but what we ALL can do is this:

Make a PLAN to Relax.

Yep, I said it. Put “Relax” in your calendar. If you fail to do so, the day will come when you burn out. You most likely will not see it coming. Others around you probably will, but most people fail truly to hear the warnings of people around them when they are focused on achieving their goals.

Last weekend our family saw the Disney movie Christopher Robin. I personally recommend that everyone see it – not just children. If you are one of the people I mentioned above who is hearing someone speak into your life their concerns about your over-the-top work ethic, I BEG YOU to make the time to go see it. See yourself as the adult Christopher Robin who is going through a similar situation in his life.

In one scene, Winnie-the-Pooh was talking about “doing nothing.” Here is what he had to say:

“Doing nothing often leads to the very best kind of something.”

I wonder if Sir Isaac Newton would have discovered the concept of Gravity if he had always been about the task of creating more spreadsheets, running from meeting to meeting, and being on conference calls? Hum, maybe there IS something to this concept of Doing Nothing – of Relaxing Urgently.

Go ahead and do it. Put “relax” in your calendar. Now. Do not hesitate. You will be renewed, refreshed, and energized.

And, hey, who knows? Maybe your doing nothing will lead YOU to the very best kind of something, too.