Gone Cycling! Why is allowing yourself time away from work so hard?
How to ask yourself for time off work
Why is allowing yourself time away from work so hard? What is it that binds us so securely to our jobs/businesses? Other than the obvious reason that it is our source of income. For us wage or salary workers, leave is an entitlement, so no excuses there. For small business owners, farmers and the self employed it gets a bit trickier. If you are in this group it can be argued that it is more important to look after yourself by taking a break, because you are your biggest asset. It is so easy to let time for yourself fall by the wayside. If you have been struggling to let yourself take a holiday, here are 5 questions to ask yourself which will help guide you through the decision making process when asking yourself for time off work.
1. Do I want a break?
This is the first question you should ask yourself. There really is no point in going through the process of arranging time away from work if you do not want it. But heck! Who doesn’t want to time off? It’s a bit of a no brainer, right? Not many people can honestly say that their work feels like being on holiday. Okay, there might be a small number of occupations where this could be the case. But for the majority of us 8 to 5 (or longer), daily grind types, this certainly does not ring true. So let’s not waste too much time on this question. Trust me, the answer is ‘yes’. Moving along.
2. Do I need a break?
Again, this one probably is not too hard to answer, because most of us do. When was the last time you had a holiday? Do you feel uninspired? Do you continuously feel exhausted? Are you working hard, but not being very productive? If you answered yes to any of the above, it’s a good indicator that a serious ‘time out’ is in order. Having time away from work will give you a chance to recharge. If you can allow yourself to step away now, you will come back later with a fresh perspective, enthusiasm and energy, ready to tackle all those difficult problems that won’t just fix themselves.
3. Can I afford a break?
No one wants to think about how much their holiday is going to cost. It does ‘pay’ (excuse the pun) to carefully consider your financial situation before you go booking an extravagant 3 month, 5 star, guided tour of Europe. However, the digital age has been a big enabler for the budget traveler. There are lots of apps and websites available to help consumers find affordable options for transport, accommodation and experiences. Grabaseat, webjet and skyscanner are all good places to look for cheap flights, and Airbnb is a great place to find a wide range of accommodation options to suit any budget. Or you could consider doing a house swap using a site like LoveHomeSwap.com. In addition to trying to make your travel as economic as possible, you could rent your house out while you are away using a site like Airbnb or holiday houses. So if you think you can’t afford a break from work… think again. Invest a little time researching options and you are guaranteed to find something that will match your budget.
4. Will work still be here when I come back?
Yes! Of course it will… unless you’re taking a years worth of leave. Even then, you might find your employer will hold your position, perhaps finding a temporary replacement. Whether that is a good thing, or not, is up to you. Maybe you’re ready for a new position anyway. Taking a holiday between jobs is a great way to close one chapter, have a proper break, and open a new chapter upon your return. For those people thinking of taking a shorter break, the take home for the purpose of this exercise is that your job/business will still be there when you come back. Which means things will pick up where they left off. Or even better, a project will have progressed in your absence and you can pick up further ahead.
5. Is it worth the effort?
When you already feel exhausted from work and life admin it can be hard to summon enough energy to plan and prepare for a holiday. Sometimes the very holiday that was meant to be rejuvenating turns out to be more draining than fulfilling. Travel can be a stressful experience. Missing flights, losing luggage and getting lost are just a few of the common headaches travelers experience. Most of the time these events are outside of your control and you just have to pick up the pieces the best you can. But planning the right type of break for yourself will help you get what you need from your time away from work. For some people that might be planning and action packed holiday full of extreme activities that awaken a sense of adventure and freedom. Others may need a slower paced experience that allows for down-time to recharge through reading, yoga or leisurely nature walks. The important thing is that it should be an escape from the stresses of occupation, a distraction from your day to day life. With careful thought about what you want to get out of your holiday, and planning with that in mind, it will totally be worth the effort!
And if you are struggling to come up with holiday ideas check out Escape Adventures cycle tours in the following destinations:
So step off the hamster wheel and book your leave now!
You will thank yourself later
