How do you vacation?
With the holidays fast approaching, I’d strongly recommend you read this before your next long weekend, trip to visit the inlaws, or cruise to the land of fruity umbrella drinks.
I have found that most people vacation in a way that causes them to, literally, need another vacation when they get home, just to recover from the way they spent their first vacation?
Sound Familiar?
(I first was taught this perspective by Jeffrey Gitomer, a brilliant sales trainer, who also wrote the forward to my next book.)
So here is the deal. On Thursday, I go to Grand Cayman with my wife, Mara, courtesy of our good friends Josh and Aimee Mueller.
My buddy Jon Vroman asked me yesterday, “So Jon, is there any part of you that is actually wishing you weren’t going on a vacation, knowing how much Global Empowerment has going on right now, with events, book and product launches, etc.?”
I pointed out to Jon that I’ll be using the vacation, not as a chance to escape, but a chance to avoid interruption and focus on the direction of my life, and my business. Yes, I’ll spend more time than usual, per day, engaged in recreational activities, being in love with Mara, and loving everything about doing nothing.
I’ll also use the new environment as inspiration for some deep thinking. I’ll have notepad and pen at my side, and will be fully engaged at times in thinking about my future, my family, and life – and yes, my business.
Too often, I see people use a vacation as an escape, a drug – at times literally – to run away from their daily stresses.
I on the other hand, will use the opportunity to avoid interruption (no phones), rejuvenate and strengthen, and not to hide from my work.
I’ll bring my most challenging questions, dreams, visions, and inspirations, and I’ll come back strengthened, energized, and focused.
On a related note, this applies not only to a vacation, but to every waking hour that you consider your “time off”. How do you spend your “time off”? Do you come back to the office more energized, or wishing you had another day to recover?
I’ll be thinking of you, the business owner, the entrepreneur, while in Grand Cayman – really, I will.
Jon Berghoff
Jon Berghoff is the founder of Global Empowerment Connection. GEC has a history of creating sales, leadership, and entrepreneurial success through ‘harmonic influence’ over ourselves, others and the world. Subscribe to Insights on Influence, our free e-zine at www.geconnection.com.
November 17, 2008 at 9:36 pm
How dare you ever hold this stuff back from the public, Jon! I spent 2 weeks earlier this year in Mexico and Argentina and I definitely could have used this back then. Guess I’ll have to wait until my trip to Prague in 2009. Good stuff!
November 23, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Jon, the perspective you share in this article is so valuable to me, and I would imagine to anyone who has fallen victim to their less-than-optimum mindset going into, struggling to enjoy, and coming home from a vacation. Thank you for always sharing and adding value to my life!
November 26, 2008 at 12:14 am
I am looking forward to this vacation back to Minnesota to be with my family and inlaws. My father in-law is a business owner and I am so excited to share ideas with him. The idea of how powerful it is to not do what everyone else is doing in these economic times. Hence, “Telling themselves they will fail.” I’m so stoke on introducing him to Global Empowerment and keeping his 57 year old mind on his path and introduce some ideas. He owns a gas station, sells culverts for ditches, and shelters a bank, car wash, and detail shop. He is going to be changed and I will focus on him as he is open to ideas. Utlimately my intention is to tie into what he is doing and what my wife and I are doing so we can have a stronger relationship and his daughter can thrive on the fact that we are all closely tied and even though we are living 3,000 miles apart that he and his daughter are still close. We’ll see where our vacation take us next on the life scale. On the bigger scale you cannot turn off who and what you are because you are on vacation, so why not take advantage of it. Thanks Jon
December 8, 2008 at 2:10 am
I agree Jon, it’s so important to have real downtime on a vacation and reconnect with what is really important to you. I spent time with family in North Carolina, but took time on the drive up and back to listen to some T. Harv Ecker, Anthony Robbins and read the new Malcolm Gladwell book outliers… added some serious creative energy to my visualization and goal setting.