Author Thought Leadership

Just came back from a 5-week holiday to the east coast (our family resides in Silicon Valley). The trip included Washington DC, NYC, and New York State, Boston, Philadelphia, Vermont, Alexandria Bay and Niagara Falls. It was incredibly fun and very productive! In addition to seeing the sites, every city had one or more authors and executive editors for me to meet with. I closed a number of contracts and moved the ball forward with a number of relationships.

Now, what’s stopping you from taking your 5-week holiday? If you’re an entrepreneur and work for yourself, the primary obstacle for you taking your break is you. During the holiday, we planned where we’re going next year. I can tell you that I have no conflicting meetings twelve months from now so it’s easy to say yes. It’s always painful 2-5 weeks before I go and 2-3 weeks after I get back, but it’s worth the break in your routine.

In terms of business planning, I plan what’s going to happen the following year December time … like most of us. The 5-week holiday is where I plan the overall strategy of my business and my life. As a parallel entrepreneur (simultaneously running 2-5 multiple businesses), this is where I think about what businesses to jettison and which new businesses to start. This particular trip had less overall transformation in the business than previous years, but caused me to think about how I spend my days and what’s going to change once I integrate myself back into the office.

Bottom line is that this time taken once a year is not only great for your family, it’s great of your personal well being and as well as your business. Who’s stopping you from taking your holiday?