Learn How To Take A Real Vacation

Did you know that the word vacation comes from the latin verb vacare, which means to vacate or to leave something empty and unoccupied. The idea being that during a vacation you leave yourself time to be unoccupied, free... of duty, work, and burden.

I found this out a couple of weeks ago while listening to a replay of my favorite French radio show 'Grand Bien Vous Fasses' on France Inter. The episode was a summer edition- I'm a little behind...

The whole things was pretty timely, though, as I am, myself, in the middle of making preparations to take a week off before Christmas.

Back in the day time off would have meant time away from patients and time working on Life in Focus. It got so bad that back in 2016, I was spending hours working on my business. If I wasn't seeing patients or coaching clients, I was writing blog posts, recording podcasts, editing newsletters, creating 2-Minute-to-Thrive Facebook videos. I worked days, I worked nights, I worked weekends and holidays.

In other words, I was doing exactly what I tell you not to do; all in the name of my passion. Oops, my bad.

Needless to say the hubby was lonely, my kids were annoyed, and my friends were wondering if I'd ever come back out to play.

Then one dusky, dark and overworked Saturday my boys came to me. They were pissed, I'd spent the last 2 hours telling them I just had 5 more minutes of work to do, then getting on their cases for interrupting me. "All you do is work!" the whined, and you know what, they were right [shame face].

That night I made them a promise - but it was really more of a promise to myself - Saturdays would be a rest a day. No work, no emails, just house stuff, family stuff and friends.

It's been a year, and I can't tell you how much happier and healthier I am. Who knew that whiny kids could be so good for you?!

I'm so much happier, that I actually made checking out - or taking a real break - my 5th Holiday Survival tip

Check out the post right HERE

Whether you get one day off for Christmas or a whole week, take a real break. Check out... make time for yourself and leave work behind.

I realize it sounds both wonderful and really stressful to make time for yourself. But remember this, BUSY IS A DRUG, and the highs you get from being always are nothing compared to the toll of never stopping, the cost of setting poor or no boundaries, and loss of real, genuine, undivided engagement with the people in your life.

So this holiday take a stand for yourself. Go tell your boss and your colleagues that you won't be doing any work during your va-ca-tion. No, not even checking that damn email!

Check out last week's post to learn how to word that message.

Personally, I'm telling clients, patients, employees and contractors that I AM OFF - off line, off grid, and off of work. I won't be responding to business emails, and I won't be writing new blog posts (although I have like 10 topics cued up for next year).

But, don't worry, I'll be sure to cue up a helpful post from holidays past - a little something to get you ready for Christmas and the new year. In the mean time, I wish you a very happy Hanukkah/Winter Solstice/Christmas/Festivus/Kwanzaa or simply day off.

Please consider this holiday that you deserve to take care of yourself a bit, and that slowing down, checking in, and making choices that are right for you, isn't a privilege and shouldn't be an exception.

Merry Christmas, see you closer to 2018!

P.S. If you're hoping to make 2018 the year of you then stay tuned. I'll be posting a list of 2018 workshops (online and off) + announcing some of the changes I'll be making to Life in Focus. First on the list will be another What is Your Why Workshop coming live in San Diego and also online January 15th.