I hope you and your wife have a funtastic (spelling intentional) winter vacation.

This has been on my mind lately. I just realized this week that I’m way behind on using my vacation time. Throughout my professional career, I’ve always understood the importance of vacation and was careful to use it wisely. But eventually, as I’ve become caught up in the busyness of life, it’s been easy to put in on the back burner.

Next week, I’m planning to take some time and off and currently planning a trip with my wife for in the winter. Vacation can be a time to create memories with your family, re-charge your battery, and just experience a change of pace. I also enjoy getting away for small moments of silence and meditation.

Again, thank you for your wise words of encouragement.

Albert Einstein, though a great thinker and hard worker, believed in vacations. For example, he enjoyed sailing off of Peconic on Long Island. To get away from it all, he also vacationed at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland.

Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone were all friends. For one vacation, they went camping together in Western Maryland. Ford and Edison owned winter homes near each other in Fort Myers, Florida.

Edison also visited another friend of his for a seashore vacation. He stayed at Woodside Villa near Winthrop, Massachusetts.

By the way, Ford was also an early advocate for the 40 hour, five day work week. He thought it was good for his workers, good for business, and good for the nation’s economy.

I’m guessing that each of these great men would agree with your closing line: “TAKE A VACATION!”

Three historical figures helped me through that time period – Henry Ford – Albert Einstein – Thomas Edison. Each man worked long hours – with little rest. As a young man who would complain to his father that I was tired after coming home from school – BIG MISTAKE – my father went to work twice in the same day – six out of seven days, but that’s another story.

It was my father who recommended that I read about these three men. I did. I discovered that each man took power naps throughout the day. Subsequently, they became reenergized. Within those twenty minutes they focused their mind on one thought.

Is it easy to do – NO. Can it be accomplished – YES. It takes a great deal of determination. I spent a great deal of time practicing this method until I succeeded. Taking a vacation is much easier to do and it takes very little effort to make the decision. Over the years, I have seen a number of managers burnout, become physically ill and mentally distressed because their work comes first.

If individuals believe they are indispensable – big mistake – they will slowly discover their contributions and effectives become less and less. If they continue to work without taking a physical and mental rest and enjoy life, their position may not be there.

We can use many reasons we cannot take a vacation. A vacation does not necessarily mean an expensive trip. A vacation can be quiet walks, concentration on one’s hobby – if you have one – if not create one, spending time with the family. There is so much around us that work can prevent an individual from seeing the opportunities.

Thomas Edison was asked by a reporter his secret for success – His answer, “99% perspiration, 1% inspiration.” The 1% inspiration – for all who work in today’s economic environment – TAKE A VACATION!

Even if you can’t get away, it’s still important to take some time off. You can’t afford not to. One vacation idea for you would be to be a tourist in your own town, have a stay-cation. Or, you might consider a service such as http://couchsurfing.org, a volunteer-based, worldwide network connecting travelers with members of local communities, who offer free accommodation and/or travel advice. Or, you might consider house swapping with a friend or relative in another touwn.

The important thing is to unplug from the office and change your routine periodically. You deserve it.

Send me postcard.