Go Away!

(Note: this is off-topic, but something I wanted to share)

Seriously.

As you read this, I’m either travelling to, or sitting on, a beautiful beach in Zihuatanejo, Mexico (yes, as in The Shawshank Redemption).  So I thought I’d remind you that it’s good to get off the grid.  Seriously.  Not only is it good, it’s a necessity.

12,474

I learned this lesson from my father.  Seven years ago he announced his retirement to his agents by saying “after 12,474 days in the real estate business, it’s time for me to retire”.  Yes, I am proud to say I am the daughter of a career Real Estate Broker.  He was diligent about his vacation time, and took one week each quarter to refresh, relax and enjoy life.  This included during tough market cycles.  Throughout his 34 years in the business he experienced a number of them.  I clearly remember those times.     

No cell phone, no laptop, no internet? 

The whole idea of vacation is to BE on vacation.  Completely.  Life, and all its ups and downs will still be there upon my return.  If my house burns down, or a client has a problem I don’t need to know about it immediately.  Losing my few precious days away can’t change those things, plus my business partner is there to pick up the slack (although I don’t think she can do anything about a house fire).

Perhaps seeing that our business survived despite our absence means we don’t have to work quite as hard as we think. 

What if it all falls apart?

But what if you come back from vacation, look around and feel that you never should have left?  If so, the problem may not be the time you took off.  Forgoing a vacation won’t make a company more successful. And, if you work 15 hours a day and think the company’s survival is hinged on your putting in that many hours, you may be substituting time for intelligence.  Not only that but you put yourself at risk for burnout and will lose creativity and focus.   

Get.  Off.  The.  Grid.

A friendly reminder, your time off isn’t a luxury.  It’s necessary to thrive.  Your family will thank you.  Your co-workers/colleagues will thank you.  Your clients will thank you.  Most important, you will have something more memorable than the money you get from a close on escrow: memories.

Hasta la vista!