Here is some thoughts I had during my latest vacation.
I am sitting on the patio of my room in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic as I write this. It’s a beautiful morning with the ocean breeze providing an orchestra of rustling palm leaves.
Before I left I was debating whether or not to bring my laptop. There were things I wanted to get done but people that know me were telling me that I was crazy,to just go, relax, and don’t think about the work that lies ahead.
But it didn’t feel right, a conversation with my wife while packing pointed me in the right direction. She knew that I am a much more satisfied (and happier!) person if I am able to get things accomplished during the day.
You can see from this picture which point of view won!
It doesn't matter if I am on vacation or sick at home I always want to get things done, or be reading more, just progressing in some way.
It made me start to wonder if I was hooked on work. Did I really fall into the 'workaholic' category? I always prided myself on realizing there is more to life than that.
Whenever I am on vacation I always stack my luggage with books to read. I love thinking about new ideas while sitting on a beach, to me there is no better way to do it.
I was reading "Tribes" by Seth Godin when it all came together for me. Here is an excerpt from Page 100 that made it all click.
"It’s four a.m. and I can’t sleep. So I’m sitting I the lobby of a hotel in Jamaica, checking my email.
A couple walks by, obviously on their way to bed, having pushed the idea of vacation a little too hard. The woman looks over to me and, in a harsh whisper a little quieter than a yell says to her friend “Isn’t that sad? That guy comes here on vacation and he’s stuck checking his email He can’t even enjoy his two weeks off.”
I think the real question –the one they probably wouldn’t want to answer-was, “Isn’t it sad that we have a job where we spend two weeks avoiding the stuff we have to do fifty weeks a year?”
THAT WAS IT!!!
I am not hooked on work, but I love what I get up to do every single morning.
I know you might be shaking your head, but it's true. I was able to take 5 weeks of vacation last year, 4 were out of the country, most without my laptop :-), I always make time for friends and family, I have hobbies, these aren't characteristics of a workaholic.
Is business on my mind often? Guilty as charged, try all the time!
But that is because I am passionate about it. What Tom and I are doing is helping people realize dreams. Who couldn't be excited about that?
I don't go on vacation to get away from work, I go to spend time with my wife and explore the world. I am on the lookout for opportunities to bring back to the people I work with. (Like the Time Share story I will tell you another time)
It is an incredible feeling, one that no person should be allowed to keep to themselves. Yes I know that sounds a bit cheesy but it's not. This is what 2009 is about. Let's get some emotions into our lives.
Awake with a purpose! Don't be one of the zombies that reads a couple doom and gloom headlines and goes into work to complain about life.
Put some passion into every area of your life. If you need to sit on a beach to do it then so be it.......just let me know so I can meet you there.
My next available time for meetings is Jan 19th. That is a week and half away. So you can be crazy busy and love it or at least like it.
Alright that is my rant and that was my big discovery for the New Year.
I recommend the book "Tribes" by Seth Godin to everyone. It was a PHENOMENAL read.
Here is a picture of the other books I got through on vacation. Yes I read them all in one week (although a couple were already half read before I got there).
My goal was to read or finish a book and day and I managed to do it.
You can see I like business books.....but not because I am a workaholic!!! 🙂
So with the New Year comes new plans for everyone. Plan to add some passion into your life.
Make it the theme of the year - 2009: The Year of Passion.
- Nick Karadza
