Taking A Vacation From Yourself

I must admit, it’s really hard for me to take a vacation - especially from myself. I used to write almost 24/7 until I realized that I was neglecting other parts of life. 

I was always armed with a pen a paper everywhere I went ready to take notes, write characters, plots, ideas and whatever else came to mind.

It is a lot of work to be a writer, but it does take a huge chunk of energy. I have to take forced vacations where I can’t go on the computer to write or read all those interesting internet stories.

Even if all I do is nothing, I am still recharging my battery and reenergizing. I can’t do anybody any good with a low battery.

I came across a story about a super boss Bart Lorang. Mr. Lorang is the CEO of Denver-based internet start-up FullContact API. 

He seems to have a huge altruistic streak because he offers his employees $7,500 for what he calls “paid, paid vacation,” but there are rules.

Employees have to really take a vacation to get the money and they have to disconnect from work -- no calls, no emails, no tweets, no work of any kind.

If I had a boss like this when I was in the trenches, I would have loved it. Who wouldn’t like getting paid to take a vacation in addition to your vacation pay?

Sometimes it’s hard to disconnect from the world because you think you need to know what’s happening - you do and you don’t. 

You need to know what’s happening in your life, your loved ones lives and pay attention to your own well-being. 

Quality of life is not based on work, world politics, celebrity scandals or local news, it’s how you cultivate the love in your life that brings you the greatest pleasure. 

So in the end taking a vacation from your habits is a good thing. You are refocusing on your goals and you actually look forward to working. The best of both worlds. 

How do you enjoy your vacations every year? Do you do the same thing or stretch your imagination and do something different?