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The Layoff Dilemma

From time to time, we all need a break. A break from work. A break from cold weather. A break from the daily grind. I believe this is also true with the things that we generally consider to be incredibly enjoyable. For instance I’m both a runner and an author and I have found that whether I’m in the middle of a training plan for a distance race or deep into writing a novel, I have little difficulty keeping up the effort until the goal is achieved. But, what about after we cross the finish line? Should we jump right back into things, or is it acceptable – or even preferable – to take some time off? If so, how long can we walk away from something without having to rebuild our skill set from scratch?


WINDING THE WATCH

Whether running or writing, I think taking some time off is a very important thing to do. Most distance runners will probably agree that after a grueling race season, our bodies need time to heal and recharge. Aside from that, distance running takes a mental toll if you are too demanding of yourself. Writers (at least this writer) can become incredibly involved in their work to the point that the activity they once believed to be fun is… well… work. When our pleasurable activities become sources of stress, we probably need to step away and take measure of our goals and expectations. That being said, if you walk away from something for too long, you risk losing what you had previously gained. Additionally, the absence of activity can in itself become a dangerous habit. Most of us hear a haunting Tell-Tale watch ticking when we temporarily walk away from something we enjoy, but the farther you walk the quieter that ticking becomes. Tick, tick…


THE SOUND A WATCH MAKES WHEN ENVELOPED IN COTTON (or a moisture wicking running shirt)

The layoff limit? It’s different for everyone, but for me it’s about one month for running and two months without writing. Those durations seem to be about right for me to recharge and heal. However, if I procrastinate longer than that, I find it increasingly hard to pick up where I left off and I feel like I’m back at square one. Sure, if I don’t run for three weeks I’m not going to be able to go out and run 10 miles right off the bat. But, I know I can get back to that level quickly. If I don’t write for a month, I’m not going to completely forget how to make dialogue realistic. But, I can bounce back in a few days. The ticking of the watch may have become faint during the layoff, but I remained conscious of the sound.

STOP. DROP. ROLL. THEN SET YOURSELF ON FIRE AGAIN!

The major benefit of layoffs is that I come back motivated because I discovered how much I MISSED running and writing. Once again I’m hungry to jump back into the game. I’m driven to improve. When I hit those time limits, I’m ready to go. The danger is that if I step away from these activities for too long then making that first stride or writing that first word becomes challenging to say the least. The layoff dilemma is unique to every individual and I certainly don’t have any magical solutions. Taking weeks, or even months, to take in the scenery of your physical and mental being is not a bad thing. We just have to make sure we don’t stare out at the scenery so long that we become part of the landscape.


J.J. Hensley is the author of RESOLVE, which is a mystery set against the backdrop of the Pittsburgh Marathon.

RESOLVE was named one of the Best Books of 2013 by Suspense Magazine.

www.hensley-books.com
https://www.facebook.com/hensleybooks
https://www.goodreads.com/JJHensley



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