Last month I received some news that was quite painful. But in the week that followed, my thoughts around what had occurred were downright tortuous. Until, in a Nia dance class, I heard my Wise Self say loud and clear, “Renee, don’t create more pain for yourself than is necessary.”  This stopped me in my tracks. It helped me to realize my role in what was happening.

At my last UNLEASHED ATX  workshop in Austin, I was visiting with two long-time entrepreneurs who both shared they were getting signs it was time to let their business go so they could harness and redirect their energy towards “what’s next.” But, easier said than done. Both have spent years and a good chunk of change investing in their brands and felt torn around the idea of quitting, even if they knew it was the right thing to do (check out this great NPR podcast on the upside of quitting).

This past weekend I found myself inert on the couch, trying to find the energy to get up and get moving. In addition to not sleeping well, I was navigating a whole slew of work and parenting challenges. I was exhausted. And, I know I'm not alone.

When I travel and speak on work/life balance I consistently hear three things from my fellow Americans: a) Things are moving too fast; I’m spread too thin and consequently I’m not effective at work or at home, b) I feel like I can’t unplug; being constantly tethered to my phone is stressing me out and c) life feels like a treadmill of to-do lists, where’s the joy?