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Inspiration
Take a stayawaycation
t's July, a month in which many folks take a vaca- Ditch the devices
tion. Usually that entails getting in a car, plane or
boat, and traveling to places off the beaten trail, Instead of a staycation, you need a "stayawaycation." And
I such as the mountains or the beach. I have fond what you need to stay away from is not just your work,
memories of vacations in my youth, when my parents but also the digital devices you use to do that work.
were responsible for the itinerary (and the costs). All I had
to do was gape out the window, read a magazine or do What does that look like? For me, it means limiting myself
puzzles, and periodically ask, "Are we there yet?" to my phone, and packing away my other devices during
the time that I'm away from work. It also means "dumbing
For adults, of course, things are more complicat- down" my smartphone by turning off my wireless
ed and more stressful but, if they're lucky, and Bluetooth connections. No work and
they can also find respite from the no games, except for those that don't
daily grind while they sit on the require plugging in.
beach or hike in the woods. Tune out from to-dos
Some folks, though, find
traveling stressful – not to But even after disconnect-
mention expensive – and ing my brain from the In-
prefer to find rest and re- ternet I'm still tempted,
laxation closer to home. during my time off,
Instead of taking vaca- to continue doing the
tions, they take "stay- mental work that is
cations." This term is an essential part of
used by those who, my job. A visualiza-
for whatever reason, tion exercise helps me
prefer to forego travel deal with that. I envi-
and look for leisure sion a big red button
activities in the gen- in my mind and I poke
eral vicinity of their it with a mental finger,
homes. then watch the glow-
ing words of the "to-do"
Let go of work list on my mental screen
I suspect, however, that blink out. Once that is
many choose this option in done, I can open my eyes and
order to keep working. There look out the window to gaze at
are, of course, many opportunities the sky or the trees, free and clear
for those who take more traditional of mental encumbrances.
vacations to work when they should be re-
laxing due to the widespread use of smartphones, Sometimes I need to poke that button multiple
tablets and laptops. But the temptation to sneak away to times before I get a real break. But when I do, I'm grateful,
work is stronger when you're staycationing, especially and when I return from my stayawaycation, I'm rested and
when you already conduct a lot of your business from ready to work with renewed enthusiasm. So if a staycation
home. is in the cards for you this year remember you can and
should give yourself some real downtime.
You shortchange yourself when you do this because you
don't get the rest and relaxation you need to recharge.
Study after study shows that occasional downtime is
essential for a creative and productive work life. In the
long term, your business suffers when you work during
vacation. If you remain "plugged in," a staycation doesn't
allow you the refreshing escape that you occasionally Kate Gillespie, President and CEO
need.
57
Take a stayawaycation
t's July, a month in which many folks take a vaca- Ditch the devices
tion. Usually that entails getting in a car, plane or
boat, and traveling to places off the beaten trail, Instead of a staycation, you need a "stayawaycation." And
I such as the mountains or the beach. I have fond what you need to stay away from is not just your work,
memories of vacations in my youth, when my parents but also the digital devices you use to do that work.
were responsible for the itinerary (and the costs). All I had
to do was gape out the window, read a magazine or do What does that look like? For me, it means limiting myself
puzzles, and periodically ask, "Are we there yet?" to my phone, and packing away my other devices during
the time that I'm away from work. It also means "dumbing
For adults, of course, things are more complicat- down" my smartphone by turning off my wireless
ed and more stressful but, if they're lucky, and Bluetooth connections. No work and
they can also find respite from the no games, except for those that don't
daily grind while they sit on the require plugging in.
beach or hike in the woods. Tune out from to-dos
Some folks, though, find
traveling stressful – not to But even after disconnect-
mention expensive – and ing my brain from the In-
prefer to find rest and re- ternet I'm still tempted,
laxation closer to home. during my time off,
Instead of taking vaca- to continue doing the
tions, they take "stay- mental work that is
cations." This term is an essential part of
used by those who, my job. A visualiza-
for whatever reason, tion exercise helps me
prefer to forego travel deal with that. I envi-
and look for leisure sion a big red button
activities in the gen- in my mind and I poke
eral vicinity of their it with a mental finger,
homes. then watch the glow-
ing words of the "to-do"
Let go of work list on my mental screen
I suspect, however, that blink out. Once that is
many choose this option in done, I can open my eyes and
order to keep working. There look out the window to gaze at
are, of course, many opportunities the sky or the trees, free and clear
for those who take more traditional of mental encumbrances.
vacations to work when they should be re-
laxing due to the widespread use of smartphones, Sometimes I need to poke that button multiple
tablets and laptops. But the temptation to sneak away to times before I get a real break. But when I do, I'm grateful,
work is stronger when you're staycationing, especially and when I return from my stayawaycation, I'm rested and
when you already conduct a lot of your business from ready to work with renewed enthusiasm. So if a staycation
home. is in the cards for you this year remember you can and
should give yourself some real downtime.
You shortchange yourself when you do this because you
don't get the rest and relaxation you need to recharge.
Study after study shows that occasional downtime is
essential for a creative and productive work life. In the
long term, your business suffers when you work during
vacation. If you remain "plugged in," a staycation doesn't
allow you the refreshing escape that you occasionally Kate Gillespie, President and CEO
need.
57
