Imagine this: sitting on the beach, feet in the sand, watching the ocean waves. There are surfers, and kids playing, and swimmers riding the waves. Laughter is all around. You cannot believe you are lucky enough to be surrounded by so much beauty. Oh my…you are actually relaxing…NOT!!!
Suddenly your PDA rings and texts start flying in…there’s another crisis at the office…they need you…and just for a 15-minute call. They promise. Only one, 15-minute call. And…we all know what happens next. You are walking back to the cottage, turning on your laptop and logging in. You tell the family, “I promise, I’ll be back in less than an hour!” They all nod knowingly…there ain’t no chance that will be happening. Three hours later you are back at the beach. Clouds have rolled in, the ocean is roaring, and the lifeguards have called all swimmers out of the water. The decision is made…might as well leave the beach now…it’s too cold to stay. That split-second of relaxation has passed. Oh well, tomorrow is another day, and I just know I’ll be able to recapture that “state of bliss.”
Does this sound familiar? Of course it does. We’ve all been there. And we swear to anyone who will listen that the next vacation will be different. But the words are so empty you don’t even believe them yourself anymore.
Exhausting, isn’t it?
In fact, I’m exhausted just writing this. We all work hard, no matter what our line of work. And for those who are not in the work world right now, you are working probably harder than anyone else just trying to find your next opportunity. Everyone I speak to is just “tired.” It’s as simple as that…and…
We need to get back to basics: we have vacations for a reason.
Let’s compare our bodies and human spirit to a car. We all know that if we don’t properly maintain our car – adequate fuel, regular oil changes, periodic service checks, etc. – it’s going to stop operating effectively. The same can be said for us. Yet how often do we work through lunch, put in the long hours, check emails/voicemails on weekends, put off vacation…in essence, go WAY beyond the recommended mileage for our body/spirit “service checks”? With our car there’s a little light that comes on when it’s time for service or you’re low on gas. Maybe that’s what we need as humans, a yellow light that comes on when it’s time for maintenance: Impending danger ahead if you don’t stop and take care and nurture your body and spirit.
I have a novel idea…how about taking a vacation and actually taking a vacation. Go to the beach or to the mountains or to whatever place makes you happy. Unplug…and enjoy the beauty Mother Nature has provided us. When was the last time you sat long enough to just enjoy nature? How could you possibly do that, you ask? Print out this list:
- Put your PDA in a drawer. If it has a lock, even better.
- Tell work you are unavailable. If you have to stretch the truth a bit and say you’ll be in an area with NO cell service, do it. You are NOT available.
- Wherever you go, ENJOY! Play a bit, sit still, don’t sit still, climb a mountain, don’t climb a mountain…who cares…just breathe.
- Be ON VACATION. There’s a reason it’s not called a WORKATION!
- Return recharged, reinvigorated and ready to be “more than just your work.”
Remember what we already know: at the end of our time here on earth, not one of us will be wishing we had worked more and played less. Go on vacation and be on vacation. I promise you, your work will be there when you get back.
Till next time,
Karen
