Reading time: 2 – 4 minutes
One of my first mentors – a 60 year old self-made multi-millionaire – was a work horse. He was in the office every morning by 7AM and worked until easily 7PM every night.
But, like clockwork, every 6 weeks he would take a minimum one-week vacation with his wife. Sometimes 2 weeks. And every now and then, he’d take off for an overseas 3-week vacation.
He epitomized the meaning of “work hard; play hard”.
I vowed, in my early twenties, that when I got in business for myself I would exhibit the same work ethic while rewarding myself with the same vacation schedule.
I can’t quite say I’ve stuck to the “vacation every 6 weeks”. But, I do strive to take at least a long 3-4 day weekend getaway every couple of months.
Nothing extremely extravagant, mind you. Sometimes it’s the Bahamas, Club Med, or Key Largo. Other times it’s a quick visit back to New Jersey to see some friends.
(As I write this, I’m with Kellie and the girls in Club Med [Port St. Lucie] for a little family fun and a Father’s Day celebration.)
Anyhoo, this little getaway made me think of an article I recently read in the Wall Street Journal about the “relaxation difficulty” many folks have when going on vacation.
According to the article (based on a recent survey conducted by Expedia.com), only 53% of people say they come back from vacation more relaxed.
In addition, the article says vacation relaxation actually makes 3% of the population sick with symptoms such as: fatigue, nausea, muscle pain, and flu-like symptoms.
They call it “leisure sickness”.
Now, I must confess…
I frequently bring chiropractic or marketing-related reading material with me on vacation. And, I almost always bring my laptop with me in case I get the urge to do a little early-morning writing – something obviously experienced today.
BUT, I never experience work-related stress or concern when I do. I simply do not allow it.
If, as a chiropractor, when you take some time off or go on a nice family vacation you find yourself thinking excessively about your office, worrying about your practice, or dwelling on “business problems”, let me pass on some of the suggestions shared in the article… with a bonus tip from me.
Below are the 7 recommendations from the Wall Street Journal article when it comes to relaxing while on vacation:
1. Try something new
2. Have a plan, but be flexible
3. Get physical
4. Build in a buffer
5. Manage expectations
6. Breathe
7. Practice mindfulness
Here’s a BONUS TIP from me…
8. Design and create your practice to support your lifestyle (not the other way around).
This is where systemization comes into play within your chiropractic practice.
(If you need real-word guidance in systemizing your practice so it gives you the freedom you crave, you might want to consider your own membership in the Millionaire Chiropractic Club (MC2). Check it out here.)
Editors note: I recommend you schedule your vacations well in advance… and always have a next vacation in the pipeline. This will force you to “work hard” knowing you only have a few weeks to go until you’ll be “playing hard”.
