In most other western countries of the world, the idea of taking vacations and holidays is ingrained as part of the culture.  Going “on holiday” is seen as beneficial and normal behavior.  Not so in the United States.

Therefore, if you have that work ethic that finds you bragging about how little vacation you took last year…this list is for you.  Here are 10 reasons you should take a break this year.

(1) You really could use the rest

You’ve forgotten that you have to replenish and rejuvenate if you want to continue at this pace.  And occasionally knocking off work early is NOT the answer.  You need a little time to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit…right?

(2) In these tougher times, you need new perspective on the same old stuff you’ve been doing

It’s hard to see things different if you’re not willing to change your vantage point.  And simply, you have to get away, -put some distance between yourself and your business, in order to see things differently.  It’s the first step toward new ideas to improve your business.

(3) You keep saying the family is a priority

I’ve coached all kinds of leaders who have family at the top of their priority list, but who can’t seem to devote any extended time to enjoying those relationships.  You often have to take your family away so they can be the center of your attention, and you, theirs.

(4) Your employees need a good role model to follow

Don’t you need your staff firing on all cylinders, able to respond well to what arises, and feeling good about the balance between their work time and their personal / family time?  Show them how time off is not only a good idea, it’s essential to the kind of productivity you’re asking for.

(5) Visiting places on the internet is NOT the same as being there in person

Don’t confuse reading about the Bahamas with the experience of being there.  Also, don’t take too much comfort with the idea that you could go there anytime you want.  Being there is a whole lot better.

(6) Your business needs to learn to run smoothly when you’re not there

If your people can’t handle a week or more of you being gone, your work is cut out for you.  Free yourself up to not only take a vacation, but to lead your business and your industry by letting go of all those work activities that really should or could be done by your capable employees.  They will appreciate the faith you have in their abilities.  And you’ll appreciate your new partners in the business.

(If you are a solopreneur, automate what needs to run daily, and get used to the idea of not being 110% available 52 weeks of every year…for your health’s sake).

(7) As a leader, you’re also in the memory-making business

What kind of memories do you want to be making for yourself or for your family?  When you’re talking with your child ten years from now, how do you hope to complete this question: “Remember the time when we____________?”   Most people have fond memories that involve travel, rest, enjoyment…vacation.

I challenge you to create some memorable experiences, and get yourself refreshed to make the rest of 2010 stellar.

(This post was previously published in the July 2010 issue of Business Leader http://www.businessleader.bz/ )

And while businesses often host social events or trips for customers …business owners often don’t take time out in their schedule to personally recharge themselves and invest in themselves professionally.

Are you one of them?

If so, you might be missing out on the most strategic investment you can make this year.  Doesn’t a better you translate to better results for your organization, almost immediately?

Here then, is some encouragement to do two things: (a) take the responsibility for your own personal and professional renewal off of autopilot, and (b) move it up the priority list enough to make sure that some form of investment in your own renewal gets on your calendar this year.

Here are a few common and compelling reasons why you need to make sure it happens:

1)    You’re tired. And you’re not that good when you’re tired.  You need the energy to be at the top of your game, let alone keep up.  Rest will NOT come without you taking time out.

2)    You have gotten off track. Sure you could keep going, but in the wrong direction?  Maybe it’s time to get your direction straight and make sure your gut agrees with where you’re leading your people.  Take a breather to figure it out.

3)    You were at the cutting (or creative) edge in 1997….but now? Maybe you need to take time out to get acquainted with the best practices in your industry for 2010 and beyond.  Ideas like social network marketing, results-based scheduling, virtual departments and the “4-hour work week” should be enough to remind you that, it’s not the 90’s anymore AND you’re still expected to lead the way.  Time to invest in some learning for yourself.

4)    You need to reinvent or upgrade yourself. The next phase of your business requires better thinking, greater flexibility and your experienced hand on the wheel…but you’re older, wiser, more seasoned and ready for a NEW phase in your career.  Take time out to get straight on what that looks like…and start to make your new plans.

5)    You want better results sooner, rather than later. If you wait to sharpen yourself, restore your energy or take your work to the next level…you’ll have to wait that much longer to experience any results.   Make sure you invest in yourself TODAY so that you have something to show for it tomorrow.

Bottom Line: If you’re like most professionals, in spite of wanting more energy, better results and greater flow in your life, you underestimate the importance of taking time out to make it happen.  Do yourself (and those you care about) a big favor: renew you.

(This post was previously published in the May 2010 issue of Business Leader http://www.businessleader.bz/ )

Why it’s such a secret: By definition, it doesn’t seem that your strengths would warrant further time, attention or development.

And therein lays the opportunity to supercharge your work.

A noticeable example of how this idea separates the successful from the satisfactory can be seen in our lawns in the spring: some are very lush and green and others aren’t.  The difference: smart people know that the fall is the best time to fertilize.  And in the fall, they did.

Fertilizing now, means greater growth in the spring.

The same can be true for you and your work.

So, where does it make sense for you to invest?

Think about what you do best, your business strengths (or personal talents and abilities) and invest in that.  Take your superb people skills and make them 20% better; Sharpen your skills in decision-making, or taking initiative or setting strategy so you become a master of masters.

Maybe it’s something you’re good at, specific to your industry.  Take yourself from being “one of the better ones” in your field to being the best at what you do.

Surely we all realize by now that the difference between good and great is significant and perhaps our greatest areas of opportunity.

Three ideas for how to invest this fall:

(1)     education / knowlege: take a class, do research, follow a new blog, immerse yourself in publications related to your strengths

(2)     equipment or infrastructure: upgrade the tools or facilities that help you put your strengths in play.  Give better presentations by having a better projector.  Supercharge your brainstorming by having a better conference room.  Handle customer complaints (a strength) better by having a better process for collecting them.  Etc.

(3)     new colleagues: make connections with others who can partner or play with you…or who really need what you have to offer.  Start hanging around people who are the best in areas where you are…good.  Find more people who desperately need what you consider second nature.  They will call you to a higher game.

Fertilize, invest in yourself now, so that you can reap the rewards this coming spring.  Mmmm…I wonder what a new guitar will do for my songwriting ability?

(This post was previously published in the November 2009 issue of Business Leader http://www.businessleader.bz/ )