Do you ever feel like you work too much and play too little? If so, you’re not alone! The average American worker takes off half as much time as the average European or Japanese worker does⎯12 days versus 25 days. Is this a healthy plan? John Eldredge says, “Drivenness shrinks the heart.” What do you think?
Most people limit time off because of fear, “What if I miss the deal, what if the client needs me.” Does this fear seem worth it to you? I’ve heard that the greatest regrets in life are not the activities we commit but the activities we omit! Yes, you should work hard and be responsible, but don’t miss the opportunity to take PT (personal time) for refreshment and recreation⎯for YOU! The literal definition of recreation is to create again, refresh, reboot. Think about what your computer is like after days of heavy operation without a fresh reboot. We aren’t any different; we get sluggish, ineffective, and inefficient when we don’t take regular time off. Plan now, to take one day off each month just for you; think of this as extreme self care!
For the past eight years I have blocked out every other Wednesday on my calendar. On average, I end up with 15 personal (most unpaid, so yes it does cost you something) days away per year; over the span of eight years that’s 120 days I have engaged in relaxation or adventure! Think of the compound interest that has accumulated.
Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than learning. - Thomas Jefferson
Related posts:
In 1998 at age 35 Andy co-created Veryfine Products Fruit2O (now Sunny Delight Beverage Co.), the first no calorie fruit flavored spring water product that ultimately reinvented the bottled water industry. Two years later...