Time off is REQUIRED, MANDATORY, OBLIGATORY

I just took nine days off and headed back east to visit family and friends. Great trip except the weather was dreadful. Lots of rain and clouds. Hopefully we'll have a warm fall. Before I left, I was thinking about when was the last time I had nine days off in a row...it's a good question for an entrepreneur. I have a home office so if I am home, then I tend to work a lot. Weekends are filled with some fun but also with work. My point is that my mind is always working and does not get much time off.

So the answer is that I took 5 days off in May and went to New York for a busy, fun trip with my friend Brian. I took three days off at Christmas but had to do payroll in that time. So the last big trip was September 2007 when I took 10 days off. Now the funny thing is that my mum said, "You're always taking time off". She was referring to my weekend trips which I have probably done 4 in the last year that lasted about 1-2 days each so not sure if that counts as holiday or a weekend trip.

I faciliate workshops with Ladies Who Launch and we talk about how it's important to take time off for yourself and do something for you. The reason is that you will gain much more clarity and insight into your life. You will clear your mind, relax and see new opportunities whether personal or business.

So on my trip, I was in a restaurant and suddenly saw the next big opportunity and began to write furiously on a napkin. Typical entrepeneur - lots of creative ideas at random times. I realized that I had been "blocked" because of fatigue, routine, and not enough time for me.

Take time for you because the only person who can make you do it is YOU. Put it in your calendar. Plan your time off for the next year. Make sure you spend time planning the trip and how much fun you will have. When you get back, plan time for new ideas first. Do the catch up after. Keep your new found energy for the new opportunities. Feed your fire! Hire a coach if you can't do it on your own.

Take care of YOU,

Nancy