In our business, it is important to take good care of our cars. Without a car, most of us can't to do business. Certainly, an important resource. You keep the gas tank full, go in for regular maintenance, and make sure it is clean and ready for that unexpected cash buyer that might call in today.

• Do you wait until your car is completely out of gas before you put fuel in?
• Then do you just put $1 worth in?
• Do you use the cheapest fuel you can find?
• Do you skip changing the oil and taking care of tune ups?
• Do you wait until it breaks to go to the mechanic?
• Do you let the clutter and garbage pile up?

I doubt it..

Now, I want you to think about how you treat your OTHER most valuable resource - you.

• Do you wait until you are totally exhausted before you take a day off?
• Do you then only take a few hours?
• Do you jump right back into a crazy schedule without planning for future rejuvenation?
• Do you skip the regular healthy habits and neglect the tune-ups?
• Do you ignore symptoms until you are sick (Getting sick is nature's reset button)
• Do you ignore the clutter and let the garbage that pile up in your office, your life and your head?

If your answer to all these questions is no, this article isn't for you. But, if you are taking better care of your car than yourself, reading on could make you more effective, not to mention give you some energy and joy!

Take a hint from one of the most inventive minds ever born. Leonardo Da Vinci said, "Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen."

So, think for a moment, if you were your car, what routine maintenance is due?

Here are 10 ways to put some fuel back in your gas tank and tune up your engine:

1. Schedule at least 1 full day of play and relaxation for each of the next 4 weeks. NO work on these days. You CAN do this if you will plan and then pretend like you'll be gone out of town (or actually go) and get everything done productively because you've planned the break.

2. Make a list of 10 daily habits. No, not 10 business building actions you SHOULD do, but 10 things that would give you a lift, make you feel good, give you energy, or represent a way to spoil yourself and do them every day for the next 4 weeks. Some of mine are take a walk with my husband, drink 8 glasses of water, call 1 friend, read something non-business related.

3. Catch up on all the health appointments that need to be scheduled. Have you seen the eye doctor, had your blood pressure checked, seen the dentist?

4. Do something creative: read a book, sign up for a class that unrelated to work, but is something you've always wanted to learn about (mine is weaving), go to a crafts store and buy a project.

5. Give yourself 15 minutes a day of silence. Just sit. (REALLY) Be with yourself. Connect to those things you have to be grateful for and those things that are most important to you. This 15 minutes centers and puts things in perspective.

6. Exercise in little ways. Take the stairs, park you car farther away. Take a walk instead of lunch. Three 5 minute segments are just as good as 15 minutes straight. Look for ways to get your body in motion more.

7. Eat when you are hungry and don't when you aren't. Is what you are eating the right fuel for your body? Give yourself one day a week to eat anything you want and for the other 6, eat what you know nourishes you.

8. Clean out the clutter. Do a Sweep 100 - Go through your home or office and get rid of 50 things you don't need. Now go back through and clear out 50 perfectly serviceable things that you don't use, don't fit, don't like, or it is just time to pass on to someone else.

9. Block out 4-8 hours in the next 2 weeks to organize your office and your files so you aren't spending time looking for things.

10. Set boundaries with the people who are energy vampires. Don't allow them to suck up your time with their complaining and negativity. Don't listen to gossip.

Where else do you need to tune up or put gas in your engine? Take action today to buff it up. You'll be more productive and effective and find you can focus on your job when you feel great and full of energy.

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Published: August 11, 1999

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Editor's Note: This article reflects the opinions of Joeann Fossland only and not necessarily the views of this or any other publication, organization or Website owner.

Joeann Fossland ePRO, GRI, MCC, PMN, SRS is a dynamic speaker and business coach. Co-creator of THE REAL ESTATE GAME® and NoBloggerLeftBehind.com, she provides coaching solutions to enhance your effectiveness and life balance. You can subscribe to her free weekly tips, attend free monthly tele-seminars, and find out about classes delivered by email and personal coaching by visiting Joeann.com or email her at .