Can You Take a Vacation?
At a recent dinner with colleagues, one asked, “Who here can really take a vacation?” One brave soul offered that she was done with bringing drawings on the beach with her. The others didn’t answer.
What’s your answer?
Society and your Saboteurs perpetuate the big lie that vacation is indulgent, selfish or even dangerous. The competition will surpass you. You’ll lose that project. It will look bad to [fill in the blank]. Your world can’t possibly keep spinning if you take time off!
Lies lies lies, yea.
A recent study by the World Health Organization found that 245,000 people died in 2016 from heart disease and stroke due to long hours.
The thing with the Saboteurs is that whatever they promise you (keep working, don't stop, and you’ll have more success), is a lie (actually, you might die).
That’s a dramatic example, and why is it that even with that possibility we keep going?
Because we’re hijacked by our Saboteurs and fear can be a great motivator.
Pleaser: My clients need me!
Controller: Without me, nothing will get done
Stickler: I'm the only one who can do it right
Hyper-Achiever: I’m not of value unless I’m producing
Avoider: I don’t want to cause a conflict
You get the idea.
Your Sage knows that for maximum success with peace-of-mind you need to make space, play, and just be. That’s squarely in the Self-Care bucket of Life Styling.
Design and construction projects are complex, long-lasting, ever changing. They require care, focus and attention. And so do we humans.
If you want to boost your creativity, efficiency, inspiration and energy, take a vacation. A real one. It doesn’t have to be fancy; stay-cations are great. Step away from the devices (and OMG email and social!), go outside, move around, find something about which to be in awe--a redwood forest, your dog, art, live music, whatever.
Let me know how you plan to make space for joyful success in 2023. And please pass this on to someone you know who needs it.
Journal Prompts:
When was my last, true vacation?
When can I carve out time and space this year? What and/or who will benefit?
