I do my best to get away twice a year to adjust my rhythm from the fast pace of running my business to the slower pace of refreshing my soul. As we move into spring, the mindset I take on vacation is one you can incorporate right now.
A favorite destination of mine is Rancho la Puerta in Tecate, Mexica. When I visit the Ranch, I completely unplug. I turn my phone off and lock it in the safe. I revel in my quiet time and focus on myself and my life. I also love my social time meeting new and interesting people from all over the world. My Ranch week is seven glorious days filled with hiking, pickleball, yoga, dance class, meditation, journaling, and making new friends.
Granted, planning and preparing for time off is a job in itself. Especially in today’s environment. Planning takes time and energy away from our business, and of course there always seems to be a never-ending “must do” list we want to accomplish before we walk out the door.
I happen to be a very organized person, and so, when I’m preparing to leave for an extended vacation, my productivity goes into overdrive!
I’ll never forget a sales presentation I enjoyed many years ago. The presenter was speaking about productivity and time management. He asked us to imagine the following scenario: “Imagine if you were as productive every day as you are on the day before you leave for vacation.” Brilliant!
Think about everything you do to prepare for a trip. You stop the newspaper, hold the mail and pack your essentials – and very often end up making lists and packing for the younger members of your tribe! You plan ahead and make reservations for special activities and restaurants.
Do you make lists? Do you prioritize what needs to be done? Do you stay focused and complete each task? Sure you do!
Take this “vacation mentality” concept into your business. Don’t just imagine having a productive day, commit to it.
You can take this concept into your everyday life, whether you are going on vacation or not.
For example, why not treat your weekend like a vacation? With the mindset we discussed earlier, you can work during the week as if you were leaving every weekend. Just imagine the increase in productivity and accomplishment.
If you’re an entrepreneur, review and prioritize the income-producing activities you perform each week – and face them with this new “I’m on vacation this weekend” mentality.
- Networking and talking to new people
- Posting on Social Media
- Following up with prospects
- Asking for referrals
This “vacation mindset” strategy can also help you create room for things you really want to do. How many times has something come up at the last moment that sounds like great fun – and you think, “If only I’d completed those calls, I’d be able to go!”
When you treat every day as if you’re going on vacation tomorrow – you create space so that sometimes, you really CAN take a random day off. That flexibility is part of what is so special about being an entrepreneur. I recommend you take advantage of it by staying on top of your business priorities, every day.
Make a list. Prioritize your activities. Stay focused. Then take action to complete each task!
More productivity will lead to greater success. Greater success will lead to more vacation time. And more vacations will lead to greater productivity. BAM! Talk about an upward spiral!