The Value of Vacation

Today I want to talk about the value of putting yourself first. Whether that is taking a special trip or going on a luxurious vacation or visiting a special person, you need that down-time away from your business to recharge and refresh.

I just got back from Greece and today, I'm back at Encore with my coaching clients. It's my favorite place to be, but I want to talk about the value of putting yourself first. Whether that is taking a special trip or going on a luxurious vacation or visiting a special person, you need that down-time away from your business to recharge and refresh.

A lot of us are passionate about our work - and we should be! However, I can tell you from personal experience that every time I take time off for vacation, I come back re-energized and inspired. Every single time! I'm always looking forward to my work when I get home.

Taking a break is so beneficial to your physical and mental health. Physically, you are letting your body and mind rest. You are decreasing your stress, which lets your body heal. Mentally, the distance between you and your to-do list gives you a broader perspective (a 30,000-ft view, if you will) which can help you find solutions and set priorities you couldn't see before. Sometimes we can get so tunnel-visioned that we just see all the little things going sideways. When that happens, the only solution is to pull back, rest, and take a fresh look.

This June our theme in coaching has been all about creating balance in our lives. That starts with taking care of yourself first. Just like on an airplane, when they go over the emergency procedures, you need to make sure you have your oxygen mask on first before helping someone else. Why? It's because you won't be able to help anyone else if you pass-out from lack of oxygen. The same is true for your business. You can't take care of your clients, your team, or all those little tasks we do every day if you are tired, cranky, and burned-out.


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8 Tips for Planning Your Vacation

Planning your vacation is self-care and business-care. So, here are my tips for planning a great one:

  1. Plan ahead and book flight when they are on sale.
  2. If you are trying to choose a vacation destination you have never visited before, watch YouTube videos to see what other travelers have encountered. Plan your trip to include the good things and be ready for challenges.
  3. Don't trust accommodation websites. Get real traveler reviews from YouTube and Google, and make sure they are recent.
  4. Make sure you can get flight, boat, or train connections that work with your affordable airfare - affordable because you bought it ahead of time. Build yourself an itinerary with each step of your vacation outlined.
  5. Always weigh your luggage at home and understand weight limits so you don't get charged extra fees at the airport.
  6. Have a plan that allows you to unplug from business while away. A trusted colleague, partner, or assistant can help your clients while you are away and bring you up to speed when you get back. Need help making a plan? We recently covered this at a Club Zebra coaching meeting: Successfully Vacationing from Your Business.
  7. Many countries don't carry the type of over-the-counter medication you may normally use. Pack your own from home. Double-check medication restrictions if you are crossing international boarders so you don't get your medication confiscated at customs.
  8. If you need cell and internet services while away, then purchase your plan ahead of time. A quick call to your cellular provider can help you ensure that you can stay in touch as needed.

Now, imagine all these things have been done by the time you start your vacation. That's eight things you don't have to worry about. These are just a few of the things that I always check when I am going on a vacation.

So, where are you headed on your next vacation? Somewhere hot and sunny? Cold and snowy? Busy and bright? Or quiet and serene? Where ever you need to recharge, plan and prepare just like it was any other part of your business. You are the most critical part of your business, so take care of yourself!

All this month, we are talking about creating business balance in Club Zebra!


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By Denise Lones CSP, M.I.R.M., CDEI - The founding partner of The Lones Group, Denise Lones, brings nearly three decades of experience in the real estate industry. With agent/broker coaching, expertise in branding, lead generation, strategic marketing, business analysis, new home project planning, product development, Denise is nationally recognized as the source for all things real estate. With a passion for improvement, Denise has helped thousands of real estate agents, brokers, and managers build their business to unprecedented levels of success, while helping them maintain balance and quality of life.