Why Vacation is the Time to Take Care of Business

Nobody wants to pack work for an upcoming vacation, but you might want to bring along some big questions. Here’s why.

I know that vacation time is when you’re supposed to really disconnect and recharge… Absolutely. Spend time with the family… 100%. Catch up on your sleep… Of course. Don’t think about anything… Well, not necessarily.

I don’t know about you, but my little organic CPU normally works hard to keep all the trains in my life running on schedule. Whether for work or family, there are countless details to constantly keep track of. Decisions. Calendars. Deadlines. That’s modern life.

The Big Questions
And despite all the help and efficiencies that technology (and now AI) offers us, it’s not necessarily getting any easier. We’re spread thin. Lots of balls in the air.

We have to prioritize what needs to be done today. Then, tomorrow. Then… later in the week.

But what about the decisions that can affect your life next year or into your next decade?

And that’s the problem. When do you find the time for those?

Well, I must admit that I can have some difficulty carving out brain space to ponder important details for the more distant future.

That’s where vacation time can help.

Create the Space
A little time off will usually give you permission to clear your head from the daily static. Is it best to leave all that empty space alone and let it be? I imagine many would agree. That’s the point of a vacation.

But I think it’s also an amazing opportunity to do some really good thinking.

You’ve cleared your mental plate from all the usual distractions. Now, you have the space to consider some of the big questions. And if you do that, you can start to really take care of business.

Yes, you’re doing work, but you’re working on you and your life. I’d say that’s a pretty good trade off.

You and your Universe
There are any number of ways to properly position yourself into this thinking state that can generate inspiration.

It may be at the crack of dawn with your cup of Joe. Perhaps it’s at the pool with a margarita. Or at the top of a 4,000-footer in New Hampshire.

That’s the purity approach. It’s just you and your universe. Nothing else. And then the answers (or possibilities) can start to materialize.

Sure, I’ve had some of those moments, and yes, they’re magical. But they don’t always show up, even if you set the right conditions for yourself. So, you might need to also set up a more traditional approach.

Stay Plugged In
As much as vacation is the opportunity to leave behind your daily routine, I also like to bring along enough technology to allow me access to my day-to-day details.

The last thing you want to feel is cut off.

So, yes… I bring along my laptop. I make sure I have all my necessary passwords with me. For better or worse, I process much of my life through any number of online connections. So, it’s helpful to have continued access as needed. (Some may be able to accomplish this solely with their smartphone. I just like having a little more visual real estate to work with.)

I think it’s simply about creating a new space for yourself that’s sufficiently tethered to your old space. Fresh but familiar.

Clarity in the Gift Shop
There’s nothing wrong with leaving everything behind, and not considering one single big decision other that how to enjoy your vacation.

But if you also have the opportunity to quietly focus on parts of your life that need a little work, that could lead to the best souvenir you could possibly find.

Clarity.

So, when packing for your next vacation, don’t forget to bring along a few of your big questions. You might just come home with some answers.