Relaxation can be found in the bottom of a skip – the hard part is making the feeling last.
During the summer holiday period, I am always reminded of how things use to be way back when dads were people who spent 90% of the year as unapproachable, stressed-out individuals, who were shadowed by mums muttering hushed terms, “Don’t disturb your father, he’s very busy.”
They would spend the remaining 10% of the year behaving like butterflies who had escaped their business-suit cocoons and spread their wings in long shorts and sandals. Dads in August became almost unrecognisable beings, pitching their tents and humming tunes from Sounds of the Sixties.
In these modern times of equality when parent-child bonding is encouraged more, I believe the changes in mums and dads during the holidays are far less noticeable. But from the perspective of my business contacts I can certainly spot those who have had a break and those who need one.
Colleagues with holidays planned are easy to spot; they are excited, they spend more time on the internet than usual and they enjoy extended lunch breaks. On return to their desks, their cheeks are aglow with excitement. Worse still, they are in ideas mode and have lots of suggestions for improvements to be completed in their absence.
Those with no holiday to look forward to are pale and tired-looking in comparison. They need a holiday but don’t have the cash, incentive or time to take one. They’re not sure if they are jealous of their colleagues or not, but they like to think that their virtuosity to the company is not taking a holiday will somehow be recognised and rewarded. Unfortunately it won’t.
And that’s the point – we all need some times of rest and relaxation in order to be productive. Even if it is just a break from the rigmarole of the daily commute, a week where it doesn’t matter what you wear or if you lie in past 7.30am, it all counts. The trick is switching off, to remember that the business won’t collapse if you don’t complete that report or attend that meeting.
Perhaps it is because I’ve seen the other side, had a taste for how life could be if money was no object, happy and free of all work ties. I believe I have found the perfect solution: this year I decided to stop working during July and August completely. I’m happy, relaxed and friends say I’ve never looked so young. Bring on next summer.
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