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Sharpening Your Ax – Vacations
By Marsha Lindquist
When my husband splits wood, he has to stop and sharpen the ax from time to time or each blow of the ax is less effective. This section is about what happens when you take time out to relax or take a vacation. When you take time out, your body language changes. Your mental alert buttons are transformed. Your physical body chemistry is altered.
The average American has two weeks vacation each year, but rarely takes it all. The average European has six weeks vacation a year, and uses all of it. What’s wrong with this picture? As Americans, we put more value in working than in taking time for sharpening our axes. When you neglect time off or try to minimize it, your ax gets dull. You hack away at life. That’s a disservice to yourself, your employer, your clients and your family.
It’s simple. You’ll be more productive when you take the time to sharpen your tools—your brain, body and spirit. Then you can go back to work, be more dynamic, and look forward to chopping your way through. Here are my strategies and ways of sharpening my ax.
Take Them
There was a time that I canceled vacations and took work with me. No more. Now I expect all who work for me to have the same respect for their vacations and I communicate my consideration for their breaks. Vacations are critical times for people to recharge their batteries, reconnect with their families and spend time trying out new challenges. If you value and honor those times as non-negotiable and communicate that, then the people you work with will also respect them. Anyone who asks you to either take work with you on vacation or cancel your vacation should be a candidate for an exit from your life.
Mini Vacations
These are short breaks of three to four days that help give you a boost. Whenever possible, we plan to take an extra day in the city in which we have business. For years I would travel on business and breeze in and breeze out of the location and never see the rest of the place. Now I spend some time in the business location seeing the sights and sampling the good food.
A three day weekend away from home can also give you a new lease on life. Guys may renew their spirits with golf games, biking expeditions, a night out with the guys, poker, hiking or camping. Gals may find music fairs, quilting, or dance festivals particularly appealing. Mini vacations could also include family time, perhaps at a museum or a visit with friends. It’s important to take time off to do things you really enjoy.
Step Up the Excitement
Anticipation may be more than half of the fun of a vacation. Take the time to spread out the expectation. My husband and I break down vacations into several stages before we go so that we can savor them and build our expectations. This may not be your manner, but here’s my way to build up the anticipation.
- Brainstorming – create a fantasy wish list of all of the places you want to go
- Discussing the various alternatives and activities that interest you
- Building the plan of what you want to see and do
- Deciding on the hotel, air, car and other reservations
- Assembling clothing, film, toys, music, books, sports gear, and food you’ll need
- Taking the actual vacation
Solo, Duo or Group Tour
I love the vacations with my spouse. But once a year, I plan and take a vacation all alone. I relish the excitement of solo encounters, and having some experiences worth coming home to talk about. Consider varying your vacation companions. Try it with a group of other people or just one or two friends that you don’t often spend time with. Try taking a tour to someplace that interests you. Those other passengers on the tour are potential friends.
About the Author
Marsha Lindquist, a business strategist for over 15 years, draws on her proven “down in the trenches” experience, creativity, and participative manner to provide real solutions to businesses to assist them in building and growing their businesses. She is an energetic presenter and is also the Chief Executive Officer of The Management Link, Inc. As well as being the author of “Why Are You Still Working Your A** Off?”, she has written and published several professional journal articles on business strategy and negotiations. She can be reached by E-mail at marsha@marshalindquist.com
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