Last week I traveled with my family to our first national dance competition in Providence, Rhode Island. As a top producing real estate agent in a busy company like Park Square Realty, it is very difficult to take time off, even when I so very much need it. I always worry that my clients and customers in Western Massachusetts will think less of me for taking time or that a huge issue will crop up while I am away.
HOW CAN I TAKE TIME OFF, I AM TOO BUSY RIGHT NOW!
I spend days before departing in a frantic rush trying to ensure that everything is covered. I deliver sign riders for new listings, email paperwork, call everyone to remind them I will be away and check all of my files. The hectic pace and endless tasks use up most of my preparation time and I end up packing who knows what in a last minute flurry.
After a few more minutes worrying about leaving, I go. Put the car into drive and head to Providence with my daughters in tow and my boyfriend leading the way in his car. As the miles go by, I start to remember what it means to unplug from work. I crank some fun music and hit cruise control. Sure there are the interjections from the back seat as my daughters (9 and almost 6) get into squabbles, but we are on our way.
After a stop for a picnic at a perfect spot found by my boyfriend we arrive at our hotel and descend upon the pool. I have my Blackberry and am prepared to write emails and make calls, but everything is quiet and I start to relax and retreat into my mind.
I NEED THIS DOWN TIME
Within one day I realize that I really need to check out of computer land for a few days. I don’t log onto Facebook, I don’t chat with my Twitter friends, I don’t want to be connected right now. Sure, I handle the “must do” business and respond to certain phone calls and emails that are time sensitive, but everything else can wait. I need this down time.
I spend the time talking with my boyfriend about important things and watching the girls swim and play with their friends. I sit and chat with friends and read a bit of my book. I stare into space and then I watch some amazing talent at the dance competition. I am totally unproductive and I am glad.
Suddenly I realize that it has been the better part of a week that I am mostly off the internet and I am not sad. I wonder how my friends are doing and I know it will be nice to sit down and write a couple of blog posts, but mostly I decide that until I step back into my home (where I work much of the summer break), I am going to preserve my downtime.
Why do I share this with you? Well, we all need to give ourselves permission to take downtime. Whether it is a part of a day or an entire vacation, we all need to chill out and unplug sometimes or else we risk burn out. I am home now and will greet tomorrow with more gusto that I had a week ago because I gave myself this time off.
Look out Western MA real estate, I am recharged and ready to rock!
Sounds like you might need to read The 4-Hour Workweek…
Oh don’t I know it!