As a business owner, entrepreneur or freelancer, do you ever take time off work just for you? I don’t mean for family holidays, mastermind retreats or training courses, but time devoted specifically for you and your wellbeing?

Here’s the thing I’ve learnt over 20+ years of working for myself…

When you focus on your own mindset, personal growth, inner healing and transformational work as a priority, this produces a knock on effect that skyrockets your creativity, flow, productivity, sense of abundance and, ultimately, your ‘success’. 

Instead of striving, pushing, struggling and forcing things to happen in your business, you simply need to step back and focus on the foundations: you!

It’s like pulling back on an arrow to launch it forwards.

If your cup isn’t full (in business, life or relationships), how can you possibly ever give your best to someone else and create the impact, financial success or ripple effect you desire?

Why taking time out is so important

When you create space by stepping away from the hustle, switching off social media and letting go of to-do lists, you free yourself up emotionally, physically, energetically and spiritually to allow yourself to tune into your own inner wisdom.

It’s in those moments of stillness and calm in your home, or relaxed time in nature, or beneath the flow of water in the shower, that you gain the opportunity to truly listen to the answers that dwell within.

And while those short periods of quiet, connected time are perfect for receiving the words, thoughts or ideas you need in that moment, taking longer chunks of time away from your work will bring you incredible ‘downloads’ of information, concepts and designs for your business and personal growth.

take 3 days

3 days – just for you. No prior planning beyond ensuring that you’re comfortable, well nourished and in a place where you know your intuition will be strong and your creativity high. Perhaps somewhere away from home in a beautiful AirBnB by the sea or a log cabin an ancient forest, a camping trip in the countryside or a luxury spa hotel. Or simply just 3 days at home while other members of your family are away (or at least out all day!).

Over these three days you indulge in all the things that make you feel relaxed, uplifted, vibrant, alive and abundant. Connecting to nature and to your body are key.

Perhaps you dine in a Michelin star restaurant one lunchtime, or take your homemade salad to the beach. Perhaps you meet girlfriends for cocktails one evening, or book a massage therapist to come to treat you in your own home (or hotel room). Perhaps you book an outdoor adventure session, a group hike, a cooking class or go shopping for a pair of designer shoes.

You get the idea…

In between the treats, experiences and adventures, you simply take time to get quiet and tune into your inner voice; to remember the ancient wisdom inside and create the space for your own innate power and creativity to flow through you onto paper, into your computer or into artwork.

free flowing time and space

It always amazes me how much growth and transformation I feel when I simply stop rushing around trying to do allll the things, and instead focus on looking within.

Take this week for example…

I hadn’t planned to take a week off, just one day for my birthday on Tuesday, but here we are on Friday morning – still diving deep into my inner world, feeling huge transformational shifts and getting the best, most creative downloads from the Universe.

It all started with a free ‘Meet Your Soul Mate’ challenge from Monday hosted by expert love coach, Katie Phillips, founder of The School of Self Love.  I made a commitment to myself to get the most out of this challenge by showing up to all the live videos everyday, reading the worksheets and doing the tasks. I’ve lost count of the number of challenges I’ve signed up for in the last 8 years or so and then never completed!  But at some point in my journey, I realised that I had to actually do the work.

I had to dig deep, face my fears, confront my shadow and step into a higher, brighter version of myself – someone with better boundaries, more ease and flow, more abundance, more love, more opportunities.

On Tuesday, I enjoyed a gorgeous day for my birthday, filled with beach trips, a beautiful sunset, family and delicious food. Feeling high on this combination of warm sunshine, deep inner work and birthday celebrations, it simply ‘felt right’ to do more of the same on Wednesday and Thursday!

And this is what I meant when I said earlier: ‘No prior planning.’ Allowing your time to unfold in a way that feels good rather than trying to stick to a schedule. This is a very feminine way of working, of being, of doing – and it always feels so much more expansive, spacious and fruitful to create and live in this way. Yes, we need to take action in order to get things done, but doing them in a way that feels aligned to your heart, soul and deep intuitive, feminine knowing, is always a winner.

watch the magic unfold

This week has brought me some magical experiences that never would have happened if I’d had my head down in ‘work’ mode and not indulged in this space and time to focus on inner growth and transformation.

Over the course of the 5 day challenge, I’ve experienced numerous shifts around my own limiting beliefs, patterns and behaviours, peeling back more and more layers and uncovering more hidden truths. I’ve had beautiful conversations and numerous ‘nudges’ from the Universe!

The biggest breakthrough, however, was this morning. 

I suddenly felt even more clarity around who I am, my essence, my message and the books I’m writing and planning for the future. The words flowed, the energy was high to the point of fizzing in every cell, and I felt a sense of euphoria flood my body.

When we’re so caught up in the busy, overwhelming rush of everyday life in the modern world, we don’t even realise that this level of clarity, focus and creativity is even possible.

Just like when we eat and snack constantly we never feel that sense of hunger and therefore never appreciate food in the same way as that first meal on a rumbly tummy!

But I can’t take time off!

Some of you reading this may be thinking: ‘It’s alright for her, but I can’t take time off just like that!’, or ‘Who’s going to pay the bills next month if I don’t work for a week?’

But here’s the thing…

I’m not special or different from you. I don’t have a high income, a partner to share bills with, the opportunity to eat out in a Michelin star restaurant or rent an AirBnB.

But I do have one thing that maybe you don’t have (yet)…

Faith and trust.

I have complete and utter faith that in making my personal growth a priority, I gain transformational mindset shifts that uplevel my vibration and allow me to bring a new energy, focus and clarity to my work, life and potential relationships.

In essence, I’ve filled my own cup first and from that overflowing cup, I can give to others.

You have to believe in yourself

Remember the bow and arrow analogy from earlier?

What if taking time off was the equivalent of pulling the arrow back? It’s pulling backwards, creating tension and potentially about to launch you into the unknown. Which all sounds a bit scary. (And fears are what hold us back.)

But what’s also happening is a build up of energy – energy that’s going to be released into the world. And you get to choose whether it has a positive effect on you and others, or not.

As you release the arrow and it arcs into the sky, it’s a beautiful reminder of the possibilities ahead.

What if, instead of earning, say £500 each week, you suddenly made £2000 in one go?

The truth is, that most people are too afraid to step out of the struggle and into the land of opportunity. Most people feel safer earning a little bit of money regularly than taking a risk – which is why so many people stay in the relative security of a 9-5 job rather than following their heart and their passions.

Whoever you are, whatever ‘work’ you do, wherever you’re at in your life in terms of financial, romantic or lifestyle ‘success’, remember to keep in mind what I said at the start…

When you focus on your own mindset, personal growth, inner healing and transformational work as a priority, this produces a knock on effect that skyrockets your creativity, flow, productivity, sense of abundance and, ultimately, your ‘success’. 

I’d love to hear if you take some time out (maybe even over the weekend) to focus solely on your personal growth and mindset and what kinds of beautiful messages your soul brings you that will help you to take a huge step forward…

With love, Lorraine xx