I am going to step out and assume you are like the majority of people who don’t take enough time to self reflect. Sorry if you are one that does, but in my experience, most people don’t take nearly enough time working on themselves the way they should. You see the key to the future is in the past. What you reflect on is what you will come to experience more of. So, if you want to experience greater opportunities in the future, you need to reflect on the things that will help you prepare for it. Conversely, if you want to experience depression and hopelessness, then simply focus on negative circumstances and your fears.

We have to learn the art of “Take 5.” “Take 5” is a term that was coined in show-business when an actor was frazzled with failed takes. This term was used to take 5 minutes to reset their focus and come back refreshed for the scene. Doing the same thing again and again and not getting the results you want is reason to reset. Like an actor needs to take 5 every now and then, we too, need to follow suit. Take 5’s are not so much about the exact 5-minute reset break, but rather, about the principle of refreshing ourselves for however long is needed.

Jesus practiced the original take 5. He got away from the crowd to refresh and reflect. We see this all throughout the observations from those who recorded Jesus’ life in the new testament documents.

Luke 5:16 (NIV)

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

You have to break if you want a breakthrough. Don’t get so busy doing, doing, doing, that you forget about being, being, being. Remember, we are human beings, not human doings. Our being needs to come before our doing.

You have to break if you want a breakthrough.

Here are a few tips to make sure you practice Take 5’s:

1) Stop Saying You Don’t Need A Break

High achievers know they need a break and make time for it every day. Low achievers don’t even know they should take time to reflect. Average achievers say, “I don’t need to take time, I’m good!” It’s the biggest lie that holds them back from their maximum potential. If you wait to take a break till when you “need it” you’ve waited too long. It’s like saying, “I’ll take a drink of water if I get dehydrated.” The longer you wait to take a break to reflect, the longer it will take for you to get something out of it.

2) Start Scheduling In Take 5’s

You won’t take 5’s if you don’t get it on your schedule. You have to be intentional if you’re going to spend time reflecting and thinking; it won’t just happen. Everything will steal your time. Everything will take priority over take 5’s. Life will happen and you’ll forget about it until it’s too late. Taking action is not real until you commit it to the calendar. Saying you should take 5 is worthless until you actually do it. I suggest you carve out at least 20 minutes a day to reflect and think.