Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Why Vacations Benefit Your Work and Life

We entrepreneurs work ourselves to the bone.

Think about it: you awake every morning to a full agenda of completing this and overseeing that, finishing your mission (and maybe missing some objectives) hours after the sun sets.

You rarely leave the office, except for food and bathroom breaks, and you even treat those two essentials as though they strain your workday.

Does that scenario seem vaguely familiar? It once did for me, too, until I decided to change my daily routine, adding numerous vacations to my schedule every year without fail.

Taking time away from the office increases your physical health and clears your mind so that you can capitalize on opportunities you may not have considered in the past.

Vacations are easily added to your regimen. Think on these terms:

  • Three days off, including the weekend
  • Afternoon relaxation periods
  • An entire day at a spa
  • Extended holiday breaks (Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day)
  • Make something up (employees do this every day, and unlike you, they have a boss)
Look at your summer calendar. Does it include vacations? If not, begin to map out your getaway plans.

You'll realize, by year's end, the positive difference down time makes in your business.