I heard a story on the radio today about vacation.  The reporter stated that the American worker is taking fewer hours of vacation each year.  It seems that the fallout of the downsized 1990s was that people are feeling more insecure about their jobs and in order to prove themselves, people are working more hours each day and even when they go on vacation many take work with them or at minimum they use cell phones and take their laptops so they can be reached via email.

I am a strong believer in spending quality time away from work no matter the type of work you do.  Soon after graduating from college, I had the opportunity to take my first trip west to Colorado .  I had applied for a job and after being accepted I found that the start date was the same date as my plane reservations to Denver .  I told my manager that I would gladly postpone the trip if it meant losing the job.  His answer to me was simple.  “I would rather you take the vacation.  Everyone needs a little adventure in his or her life.  Besides if I were to make you change your plans, it wouldn’t be long before you began to resent me and the job.”  As it turned out he was right, I became very loyal to this company and worked there for over 3 years.

The other advantage to taking time away from work is that it can increase the level of creativity that you use to solve everyday problems at the office.  As a training consultant, I am consistently challenged to think up creative and innovative solutions to professional development issues.  I once asked a public relations person how she kept her creative juices flowing and she told me that it’s important to take time for you.  Spending quality alone time is easier for some than others.  I garden.  I can spend hours in the yard and come up with some of my best ideas while I’m weeding and watering.  I like to hike and the quiet and solitude of the woods often helps relive the stress of a pending deadline.

So whether its taking a trip to the islands or even take a day to get over to the Smokies, remember that in most cases the work will still be there when you return.  Happy Trails!!