I have just returned from the longest vacation I have ever taken – nearly 18 days! What I have learned about myself over the years is that in order for me to completely “get away” – I need to buy a plane ticket and travel to a place where I can’t get a Blackberry signal. I must admit it was heavenly to get away, but the temptation to check in did not completely disappear until the 10th day of my vacation.
During my vacation, we went to South America on a fly-fishing trip with our friends. At the lodge, there were other guests – businessmen who were constantly checking their Blackberries and laptops, during joint dinners and social time. They became known as the “Blackberry Boys” by everyone. I laughed at the time, but part of me wondered if I should be checking messages too. I vowed to turn off the Blackberry during my vacation, and I am proud that I kept that promise to myself.
Returning today, I feel relaxed (maybe it’s the jet lag) and refreshed. Many of the same challenges are still here to be addressed, but after my vacation, they seem more manageable and not as enormous as they did a few weeks ago when I was feeling overwhelmed by it all.
Learning to relax isn’t always easy - as women, we want to do it all and feel the need to make sure that everything is in order before relaxing. I often have that guilty feeling that I should be checking in – what if someone needs something from me? Will everything get done while I am gone?
Following this vacation, I hope I can keep one of my new year’s resolutions to take better care of myself. What are some of your ways to relax and avoid burnout?
Barbara
By blogger Barbara Adachi, Deloitte LLP
