How to Save Yourself - Mind, Body, and Soul
One twelfth of the year is over. Done. Finished. How much of your comp time, PTO, and vacation time did you take this month? Have you thought about how you’ll use your vacation time this year? And have you calendared it and maybe even planned it down to the itinerary and ticketing?
America is a young country. If you’ve ever been to Europe or Asia, you’ll understand just how young America is. The continent isn’t young and there have been civilizations and people here far longer than there has been an American form of government here – I’m talking about the government and customs. America is young and was founded largely on the Puritan ethos of education for all, hard work, and sacrifice. While the Puritans era in the US ended by 1740, the ethos still drives many people today.
And too often, what ends up being sacrificed by most – yes, MOST – Americans is their paid time off.
Why is it bad to be all work, no play? Let me count the reasons for you:
- Physical and mental health suffers
- Performance at work suffers
- Promotability suffers (see point 2)
- Creativity suffers
- Mood suffers
- Intuition and problem-solving ability suffers
- Relationships suffer
When you look at that list, how can you possibly justify giving back your time off? You are more valuable to the company when you take time off, you are more fun to be around when you take time off, and you’re more healthy in body, mind, and soul when you take time off. Take time off! If you have 270 seconds, you have time to listen to three episodes of the world’s second-shortest podcast that will help you understand the importance of using it, not losing it:
Want to understand why it can be hard to take time off? Here’s a Tiny Bite for that!
Need help remembering how to create a vacation feeling any time? Here’s a Tiny Bite for that!
Need help finding what you’re living for? Here’s a Tiny Bite for that!
Now that you’ve been reminded of the power of time away from work, take a few minutes today to look at the rest of this year. Where would time off fit in your life? Block it off in your calendar, even if it’s just a date hold. Start planning your “not working” time this year today.
If you don’t focus on it right now, the year will be over before you know it and there you’ll be, giving back your mental wellbeing and work/life balancers, AKA vacation days. Again. Don’t. Please don’t.
The body, career, and even life you save may be your own.
Wags,
Sandy Weaver
Program Director, Center for Workplace Happiness
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