Summer. Beach and a book. Or is it?
I live in the Northeast. It’s “bad sledding” time right about now (you think I am kidding? Seriously, we had snow a lot in April….)
This article focuses on Strategic Summer. What’s that? Well, here’s what I find. When we are working and it’s 80 degrees and gorgeous out, we want to be outside. We are dreaming about vacations. We are NOT being productive. Counter this with being on vacation, phone and laptop in tow. Are we really on vacation? Ummm, nope. We are being in ambivalence. We have one leg on either side of the fence. And you know what? If you fall down, that HURTS! Ouch!
So, the message is: (1) be present and (2) slow down to speed up. How?
- Be in summer when you are there. Be at work when you are at work.
- Don’t be like those Americans who leave an average of 9.2 vacation days unused.
When you do not use your vacation time (or as an entrepreneur, your “time off” includes only sick time, running around your family time, continuing education time, etc. and not “what lights you up” time), you are not allowing your mind to recharge. How does a worn down battery operate? Our minds are not that different. We are NOT machines.
I have a challenge for you.
After you find your week of vacation, add 2 long weekends. Make them a stretch; something you said you would do “someday.”
Ready?
Go! And get ready to watch your productivity climb like crazy!
Rest well and be productive.
Carol