HOW PRIORITISING LEISURE TIME FUELS MY PRODUCTIVITY

When you start your own firm, you don’t really realise the quantum of work, responsibility and the time it demands until you actually immerse yourself in the job and end up investing most of your time in it. Three years ago, when I started our company, along with my partners Aditya and Anuj, we knew it was not going to be easy and were all prepared to give it the commitment it required.
However, little did I know that being constantly on the go and working at erratic hours would eventually start impacting my productivity! I had no social life and started feeling disconnected, as I barely had time for my family and friends. After almost 6-7 months, I finally pushed myself to go to a friend’s house party and then I realised what I have been missing and how meeting your loved ones can take your mind away from the everyday hustle at work. After that party, I felt relaxed as if someone had taken the burden off my shoulders.

I finally learned the importance of taking a break, and why they say it is good to take a pause every once in a while. In the quest of hustling, I compromised my leisure time. While I don’t regret the long working hours, and the midnight oil we burned to build the company, I have now learned to find a balance and prioritise my leisure time and breaks equally.
We often don’t pay attention to the little things around us that make us happy, purely because we’re so immersed in our daily routines. Trust me, work-life balance isn’t a myth, and it is very important. Sure, there are days when work is never-ending, the days are longer, and those days have their own beauty too. But, there’s nothing like having some time for yourself at the end of the day or giving yourself the weekend. It’s important to understand why taking some time off actually works. While it may sound counterintuitive, it is the best thing you’ll do to boost your efficiency.
Your mind and body need a downtime too, because that’s exactly what will push you back to work and motivate you to give your best. They say it right – all work and no play make Jack a dull boy, or as I like to say, “Boss, break to banta hai!”