Mostly, I am a people person, an extrovert (off the Myers-Briggs chart.) I spend more time writing my books, magazine articles, and blog posts in public than I do writing at home in my studio. After full days of hosting guests to Compassion International and giving them building tours (or training and coaching new tour hosts), do I retreat to my cone of silence? Of course not! I go to a coffee place or cafe and spend a few hours writing and interacting with the staff and other guests.
But about once a month I need to say, "Stop the world I want to get off." Or at least I need to take a break from responsibilities, flashing IM's on my computer, alerts on my iPhone, and the near-constant stream of extra questions, encounters, and new projects that come through my life every day.
But when I found an extra day, I figured out how to recreate such moments IN BETWEEN real time. These extra days are completely mine. Here's how it works:
Whenever I am traveling all the way across country for a speaking engagement I try to travel the day before to arrive, rest, and get the lay of the land. As soon as an engagement is booked I put the date prior into my mental calendar and that's the day I'm headed out.
While living in San Diego, I was to be traveling to Rhode Island for three days of Creativity training with a successful company. I arrived at the airport, began to unload my luggage curbside, and interact with my favorite skycap. As he took my ticket envelope he noticed I was indeed headed East, "But your ticket isn't going there until tomorrow."
I tipped my friend, Eddy, reloaded my bags in the car and headed home. Once there I changed into very casual clothes (un-ironed Dockers, t-shirt, denim over shirt, casual sport coat, and favorite hat.) Leaving my luggage packed, I spent the day at a series of diners and bakeries, ending at a tiny wine bar and music club.
I called no one to say I was still in town and had an extra day, "Let's play." (That would have been my nature.) That day was my first "Joshua Day."
In the Old Testament (Joshua 10:13) at the height of a great battle Joshua asks God to stop the sun and the moon to give them more daylight to vanquish their enemies. God "stopped the sun." The battle was won.
We could all use an extra day now and then. I make these extra days for myself. Even half days and one hour mini-vacations in the middle of a busy day. These are my Joshua Days...McNair Days.
I put a block of time in my calendar that is just for me. It appears as a real appointment and I treated with the same importance. When anyone asks if I am available on Friday, 2 July, I say no, I am busy all day. That is the truth. Even if I choose to spend all day today cleaning my apartment, unpacking boxes in my garage (from my move), organizing my media library, studio, closet, or just going to a few movies (I need to get caught UP), whatever I do is my day.
During the last decade, living in the Bay area, I frequently sneaked away to Napa Valley for a few days. These mini-vacations were remarkably restorative no matter what activities filled those days and nights.
Another "trick of time" I employ is to add an extra day onto speaking trips to enjoy a day in downtown Chicago, Seattle, Madrid (Espana), or Vancouver, B.C. McJournal
Wherever we can find and grab a bit of time that is unencumbered by the usual routine, it is a chance to catch our breath, work on a favorite hobby, art project, further develop a passion, or visit an inspiring gallery or theatrical event.
This weekend—even if your employer has not given you Friday (7/3) of Monday (7/6) off, grab a few Joshua hours. Tell the spouse, family, roommates, co-workers, "I have an errand to run on the other side of town. You're on your own for dinner. Byeeeee."
Now that I have blown a junk of my Joshua/McNair Day posting this blog, I gotta go! Time to get to some more creatin'.
And you?
[ If you have not yet watched the short video below, please have a look. It was created by some talented coworkers here at Compassion Int'l to celebrate our having ONE MILL1ON fully-sponsored children currently in our 25 program countries.]
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I love this post! Its one of the best blog posts that I've read in ages!
Thanks McNair! x
Posted by: Rob | Saturday, 04 July 2009 at 12:32 AM
Thanks, Rob. I posted a similar piece a couple years ago and it was very popular then, too. People need their "Me time" and they need an outsider to give them permission to do it and a PUSH.
Consider yourself pushed!
Posted by: McNair | Saturday, 04 July 2009 at 07:37 AM
I love it! Joshua Hours! I am an introvert (off the Myers-Briggs chart) and need my me time, but live a crazy, busy life that makes it hard to find that time sometimes. From now on I will be putting Joshua Hours or Days in my schedule.
Posted by: Tammie | Saturday, 04 July 2009 at 08:57 AM
The key to making this work is treating you "Tammie Time" like any other real, important appointment. Book it and keep the date!
Posted by: McNair | Saturday, 04 July 2009 at 11:35 AM
Thanks for the push :o)
Posted by: Rob | Sunday, 05 July 2009 at 12:26 AM
Great tip McNair - you're always so generous with your ideas, love it!
Posted by: HeidiRenee | Sunday, 05 July 2009 at 04:57 AM