Have a Labor-free Day!

Labor Day signals the end of summer and, for many of us, the start of a new schedule. If you’re like me, it also marks the beginning of organization and preparation for the onslaught of activities that are just around the corner: Work seems to ramp up after this weekend, and (if you have kids) so does the driving to and from school and sports activities.

Saying “no” to others’ time-requests is hard for many of us – myself included. With this in mind, I thought I’d share a piece of advice gleaned from a Katy Perry lyric:

“If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”

Psychologist Viktor Frankl, a World War II concentration camp survivor, proved that finding personal meaning brought people peace, even in times as horrific as the ones he experienced in his early life. The more time is given to what we stand for, the happier and more fulfilled we are because we find meaning in these experiences.

What do you stand for?

Labor Day, by definition, is about taking a holiday from laboring – something we can achieve by working smart, not hard. Consider cleaning the clutter from your schedule. Take some time to reflect on what’s meaningful and adjust your calendar accordingly.

Whether it’s a regular call to mom or dad, an exercise practice, consistent volunteering, or walking the dog without your mobile device – aligning your time with what’s meaningful will bring about healthy shifts in your thinking and upgrade your experiences.