We all know those people…the ones who insist on coming to work with the flu, hacking their brains out because god forbid, THEY take a sick day! Or the co-worker who declares that they have 100 vacation days built up because they NEVER take a vacation! Those who act as if taking a break, whether a cup of coffee, a water cooler discussion of the latest Scandal episode, a day home from work because you are sick, or a REAL vacation, is a sign of weak character.
When you run your own practice it becomes even more difficult to take a well needed break because you are responsible for simply EVERYTHING! However, I finally realized after two years out in private practice, that a vacation is not a superfluous luxury but is essential to your well being and that of your practice! And of course staying home when you are sick is mandatory- it not only heals you but saves you from co-workers sticking pins in a voodoo doll of your likeness! And a real vacation will work wonders for your productivity and that of your office.
Your co-workers, staff, and secretary will love you for it when you return less crabby, more calm, and bearing gifts!
Your clients will love you for it, because you will return hopefully with renewed energy and brain cells to tackle even the thorniest legal issues! Those “aha!” moments of a breakthrough in solving whatever thorny issue is driving you nuts happens when you stop your brain’s incessant ruminating. You all know-those sleepless Sunday nights when the thoughts just won’t stop and you finally fall asleep 10 minutes before the alarm goes off! And God knows, for us in Chicago taking a vacation is an absolute necessity! That is, of course assuming Ohare has not shut down from ________ (fill in the blank) thirty inches of snow, freezing sleet, an ice storm, or merely a cow on the runway. (It’s really happened!)
So folks, check out the gorgeous sunset below, book that ticket, grab the bathing suit and the kids ( if you so must) and tell yourself and others if you need to that you are headed off to increase your productivity, work on that upcoming jury, or boost your sales! You won’t be sorry…that is until of course you return to -19 degrees and/or freezing rain/snow/slush etc.
And the memories of that sunset have to keep you warm through the long dark freeze we know as February!