3 Reasons Vacations Should Be a High Priority

Vacations Always Seem To Bring Resistance

It’s spring break for the Walker clan and we are in Hiawassee, Ga in a cute little house on the top of a mountain peak doing unimportant things like puzzles, board games, naps, hot tubbing, grilling, ropes courses, hiking, morning snuggles and it’s the most important thing I can do right now! We decided long ago that vacations should be a high priority in our family and here’s why.

Before I left, I worked extra hard trying to get as much done as possible. When I get back I’ll work extra hard to catch up. There are so many high importance projects going on right now, it was tempting to just stay home and work. Even our older kids wanted to stay home and just chill around the house.

But instead, we rented the house, packed up the car, drove to the mountains and are having a lovely low key vacation. We believe vacations should be a high priority. And even though many of our vacations are not fancy, our last 2 were less than 2 hours from our home, we do them consistently.

Here Are My 3 Reasons Vacations Should Be a High Priority:

1. 1. If your family pays the price, they should get the rewards. Years ago I struggled with the idea that my family would have to pay a price for my dreams. But the truth is, the family pays a price for everyone’s dreams. My oldest son is on a competition marching band  and it takes over our lives in the fall. My younger boys have been dragged to many football games, and cross country meets. We’ve missed meetings for concerts. So I don’t feel guilty that they pay a price for my business. But it’s critical to me that they also reap the rewards of the business. I am not at every single event the kids have. Some nights I choose to finish a project while they all watch March Madness together. So my husband and I decided that vacations should be a high priority because the kids need to see the benefits of hard work and focus.
   2. Family Time is the most important time. When my boys were all small, it felt like we had all the time in the world. But now three of them are in middle or high school and they are busy. The amount of time that the entire family is all together is pretty much limited to Sundays. And we’ve only got a year and a half with my oldest before he is off into the world. Vacations should be a high priority because it gives you that elusive family time. I took my 4 older boys to a ropes course two days ago. My arms are still sore in case you are wondering! But it’s worth the sore arms to make those memories and have those connections. And while I make an effort at home to create quality time, it’s easier to do it without the distractions of everyday life.
   3. Rest refuels your creativity.  A burnt out entrepreneur is not a good entrepreneur. When you are exhausted you are not functioning at 100%. You will keep going through the motions, but the output gets less and less. I’ve taken a nap every day while I’ve been on vacation. I’ve slept in every morning. And you know what?  I need it. My body is happily recharging. And as a result, I will go home with a brain full of great ideas and inspiration to help me plug back in.

Vacations Benefit Your Business

Vacations really should be a high priority for entrepreneurs and business owners. I know it’s hard to get away. I know your clients will still need things while you are gone. I know it never seems like you’ve got enough help to pull through. And I know you’ll come back to extra work. But it IS WORTH IT!  So if it’s been a while, take that vacation! I try to take at least one trip a quarter. Two longer trips a year. And two weekend getaways. (And FYI, family reunions or chaperoning any type of kid trips are not counted as vacations because they leave me feeling like I need a vacation from the vacation.)