If you look at the research on vacations in the United States, you’ll see that nearly half the population doesn’t take a vacation. In fact, most entrepreneurs don’t even take the full weekend off. Other countries seem to recognize the value of a vacation and are smarter about taking time off.
So why would you want to take a vacation? After all, it’s time away from your routine. It’s time away from your business. You have to find someone to take care of things while you’re away. It sounds like a hassle.
In actuality vacations offer several benefits, particularly for those who run their own business.
1) Change in scenery changes your habits and your thoughts. When we get up every day and go to the same chair, in the same office, in front of the same computer, we tend to fall into the same thinking patterns.
If we change the scenery, we change our thinking – and we change our level of enthusiasm.
2) Thinking is like breathing. You breath in and out. Your thinking is the same – you are “on” then you are “off”. If you try to be on all the time, you’ll not only find yourself burning out, but you’ll find fewer fresh thoughts.
3) You change your perspective. When you get out and meet new people, encounter new situations, and deal with different challenges, you see that there are different ways of approaching a problem. You talk with people you might not have encountered if you stayed at your desk.
4) You more easily change your habits. Depending on your destination, there is a good chance that you increase the amount of exercise you get while you’re on a vacation. In fact, if you’re trying to change your physical habits, it seems much easier when you’re away from your home environment.
5) You relieve stress. While research shows you should take three weeks off for maximum benefit, even a two or three day mini-vacation can make a difference. You’ll find when you return that things that were very important suddenly seem trivial. And that’s always good for reducing stress!
But what if you can’t take two or three weeks off? Then take some mini-vacations. Here are a couple of ideas:
Change your schedule. Instead of working 8 to 5, work from 8 to 10 am, then take time to leave the office (aka house). Go to the mall, go to the pool. Just change your scenery. Do this for a week and you’ll feel like you’ve been on a vacation!
Change your work location. If it’s not too hot (or cold) move your computer onto the back porch. Or forget the computer and move to a pad of paper at your favorite restaurant or coffee hangout.
The important thing is to change your routine and give yourself (and your brain) a break. You will quickly recognize the value of a vacation – in increased enthusiasm, productivity, and efficiency.
I decided to make vacations a regular part of my life once I started doing well online. In my previous life as a classroom teacher and real estate appraiser, I had very little time or money to go anywhere. Now I make up for that by traveling the world. In fact, I am writing this from my family’s summer cottage in Finland.
A ‘staycation’ may work for some people, but I need to be at least one time zone away in order to feel like I really had the time and space to make a difference in my life and my business.
Connie
Love your one time zone rule, Connie. We all have different criteria. I often feel like I’m on vacation even when living my daily life. So I need to get on a plane in order to feel like it’s really “away.” And naturally I need a hotel and pool to complete the “different” feel. With those in place I can change my routine.
I know you’ve made a huge commitment to taking vacations – and you’ve done a great job. Congratulations on all your success!
GLAD TO HEAR that you look forward to vacations !!
We have two extra bedrooms, it’s Girls Week beginning on Monday…. get on the plane in Atlanta and be here MONDAY. I have a pool we can chill at as needed, and the beach awaits. I have stacks of beach towels, sun screen and a cool shade canopy…. the wild ponies and the cooling breezes of the ocean await !!!
I will be waiting for you at the airport..
HUGS – Mary
After 45-years in the 10 till 5+ retail business, working from home was like being on a vacation – the first two years. I had to laugh at your comment about getting up, going to the same chair, same computer, etc. There are days I felt like I was living in the Groundhog movie. This summer is totally different. I have refocused my business and I am down to just two revenue streams, my beauty websites and writing. My mornings are spent playing with Siri (Sir Titan), an hour of writing (with fountain pen and paper) my morning-pages on whatever I want and while sitting outside if possible. I also spend an hour learning/reviewing class materials. I also take and 30-minute break every 90-minutes and try to keep my evening hours for things I want to do (even if it is sometimes work related). I am living by your Information Overload “5 Questions Before You Buy” and limiting my webinars to one a week, so that makes me choose wisely – and carefully. So basically, I am living the vacation life without actually taking a vacation. It feels wonderful!
Congratulations, Holly. I know that you put in a lot of years working way too hard, so I’m so glad you have found a more vacation-like existence. But remember – even when we live the lifestyle we dreamed of, we still need to change the scenery and the schedule to keep refresh.
Enjoy each day!
Many years ago, a dear and wealthy friend, said, “Vacations should be just living your life in a different location.”
With our busy lifestyle the past two years, the only change of scenery I had was which Starbuck’s or Chick-fil-a I would be working at each day . . .LOL. As things are slowing down at last, I’m enjoying the change of sitting on my back porch in my “nature” office. I am already much more productive
Now that one kid is finally in college, I’m hoping to start spending weekends with hubby traveling around a bit more. I’m looking forward to seeing more creative juices flowing as a result.
Theresa 😎
P.S. I am with you, Connie. I like the idea of being one time zone away . . .LOL
I used to agree that a vacation was just working in a different location. But after 30+ years of working in various locations, I’ve changed my mind. Sometimes we just need to stop working – and enjoy the fruits of our labors. Sounds like you’ve found that balance this year, Theresa. Good for you!
Great article, Jeanette, and great timing. Appreciate reading the comments, too. Have started getting off the computer earlier in the day and doing things I think are fun and that has been very renewing. Thanks very much for bringing up this subject. Kay
Glad to help, Kay! You’ve done so much for changing my way of thinking, it’s a joy to return the favor.
Great article Jeanette! It’s hard for us this year – TWO of us making the leap to be self-employed, basically at the same time. But I keep reminding hubby that we need to even just make time to go for a quick camping trip. Unplug, change perspective, and yeah, I’m all for just taking a pad of paper to catch the brainstorms! 🙂
Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
Oh- the unplugging part is SO important! I see people sitting on the side of the pool in a beautiful location – texting, ignoring the people sitting right next to them. Every week my husband and I go out and notice couples at the table next to us, each so engrossed in their cell phones that they never exchange a word. Yes, please add unplug to the list! (and enjoy that camping trip. You deserve a break for two people brave enough to both take the plunge into self-employment!)
I live on the tip of Africa, Cape Town, South Africa. We have a beautiful country, and love to travel in it. Logistically, a hard continent to travel in though. But we love oversees travel as well. And when we travel from Africa, nothing under three weeks is financially worth it.
So most years we try for one oversees vacation (not happened for two years, but will again) and love it. My husband is quick to pick up and leave. Not quite so easy for me, but I travel because I have a computer and can stay in touch with my editing team daily. Sure, not a complete holiday, but better than no holiday. One does what one can :).
Yes, Desray, you want to “tough it out” on those three-week vacations to another country. 🙂 But you back up my point – I think people outside of the United States are much more inclined to travel, see new countries, new perspectives, and generally enjoy the world more.
Now if we can just get you to unplug for a few days….
I am working on a new idea…or maybe just new to me. I was lucky when I got into internet marketing because I really didn’t have ANYTHING else. So I could devote LOTS of time to working on it. Most people don’t have that kind of time, they have these things called jobs, kids, responsibilities, etc. I am thinking about putting together a whole new concept where I live my life and business based on the rule that if I cannot get it done in ten hours a week….I don’t do it! It is easy in the internet world to spend 60-80 hours a week working, I have done that. Now I am thinking I want to change my whole philosophy so that I can have a life. Great article JC!!! It goes along with how I am feeling already.
Jason C. Maxwell
Good for you, Jason! I was working 12-15 hours a day, too – until last year when depression hit me (still never discovered what triggered it.) But after taking a year off, doing close to zero, I’ve found more balance. I’m back to working – but only 2-4 hours per day.
So good on you (as they say in Britain) for finding the better balance early in your career!