Take Your Time Off and Thank Me Later

Apr 24

What do you do for work? Are you working a 9-5 like 49% of Americans? Are you taking on more with a side hustle? Or maybe you’re a new business owner juggling all the things?

Now ask yourself this- are you happy? I mean truly happy. If your answer is no, let’s fix that.

MAKE A CHANGE

Some of the best advice I have ever received came from a college professor. She said “If you aren’t happy, make a change. If you can’t make a change, change your perception.” While I am all about changing your frame of mind, I am also a do-er so I am going to help you make a change. Because risking loving what you do isn’t worth the brain fried quality of work you’re giving back- to yourself and to your business..

TAKE A “YOU” DAY

My first piece of advice- take a YOU day every now and then. Now matter if you are currently in a 9-5, a business owner or CEO you are most likely encouraged to take time off every year. Take that time. I am serious- take it. The crazy thing is, we are given this time and we hold on to it. It is proven that not taking time off for yourself not only affects your mindset, but it also costs your company money. And for what? To collect a couple extra bucks when we leave our current position? Or to keep working until a client’s project is finished? Your sanity is not worth it- step away from your desk and disconnect.

PLAN A VACATION

If one day isn’t quite enough time(it never is), take a week. That’s right, I said it, use a week of your time off. All at once. For some reason, this scares us but I promise you it is nothing to fear (aside from your 300 unread e-mails but it is so worth it); you have earned this time. If you love to travel like me, take a vacation. But don’t just take a vacation, I mean really plan your vacation. I like to set my trips 2-3 months in advance- that way you have something to look forward to and tons of planning/researching to keep you both excited and preoccupied. Somehow, this seems to help the weeks fly by. If you’re into cars or bikes, find a race or event that interests you and start planning that out. Go to networking events in your area. Try a new brewery with locals who share your interests on Meetup.com. Go on a wellness retreat. Master a new hobby that interests you. Find what excited you, start planning, and take that scary 5 day vacation you’ve always dreamed of.

DO SOMETHING YOU LOVE

Now that we’ve hopefully convinced you to plan a day or week away from the desk, what you do with this time is crucial. Do something that will make YOU feel good. It is a “YOU” day after all. For me, sometimes all is takes for me to feel refreshed and reset is to cross off to-dos on my to-do list. Sometimes, it means taking a long weekend to adventure. Plan your mental health day and take it. You can thank me later.

Put just as much effort in to your passions as you do your job and make them work cohesively together. For me, it’s traveling. While I have the standard two weeks paid time off, I make the most of my weekend, travel when I can, and take frequent mental health days to explore and do the things I love. Think about what it is you love and start emphasizing the life in work/life balance.

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