Relax,
Re-Energize,
and Renew!
by Marcia

Create, innovate, and grow by taking time to relax, re-energize, and renew. Stephen Covey calls it, “sharpening the saw.” Whatever you call it, do it! Many people tell me they just don’t have time or that they can’t afford to take a vacation. I think this is a missed opportunity. We all need to unplug from our day-to-day routines and find a new rhythm.

 

Phyllis Van, Instructional Designer, suggests that if a several-day vacation is not possible, how about a “staycation?” Stay at a park all day, stay at a library, stay at…you get the picture. Break your routine and do something different. I go to Maine every summer to kayak, swim, hike, explore, read, and just sit and relax. What are you planning to do to re-energize yourself? Remember, taking time to recharge brings you more energy!

 

There is nothing in any train-the-trainer manual that says learners must stay seated in order to learn. Now brain science supports learner movement: when learners stand after sitting awhile, there is a surge of oxygen to the brain which makes it work more efficiently. Standing and stretching about every ten to twenty minutes will increase learner attention, energy, and retention of important content. As the trainer or teacher, you can direct learners to do so. Then, after they stand and stretch, suggest that they summarize what they've learned in a sentence or two before they sit down. Give it a try!