It took me almost two years to schedule my first vacation. I had grown up with a strong work ethic and I felt that the work was too important to step away from it. And then came my first vacation. I couldn’t believe the power rest can have and how just one week can make such a big difference in our life. Today I want to tell you why you should take a break and the importance of doing so.
I work in the construction industry building bridges, a high demand industry where schedules and money are the priority. I can and have worked 12-hour, 15-hour, and 20-hour shifts, if necessary, to get the job done. We schedule material, logistics, meetings, people, and operations with the one goal to finish ahead, make our company profit, and get everybody home safe. We work in a highly risky and dangerous industry. I’ve seen mechanical failures, witnessed items dropping from 100-FT, and heard of multiple fatalities. And let me tell you, compared to the stories I’ve heard, I haven’t seen anything.
My life in the construction industry is challenging and requires a minimum amount of breaks. That’s why when I finally took one it meant so much, because I don’t get to do that very often. This brings me to you, if you work with the same intensity that I do, or even if you don’t, I want you to step back and look into your job, your company, and your industry. I want you to reflect on what you do and how it impacts those around you. But most importantly, I want you to know how it impacts your life. I just gave you an example in the paragraph above and to help you get started, you can think about the day-to-day tasks you have, the shifts you work, the people you work with, and the risks you encounter.
Once you’ve reflected on this, I want you to imagine a vacation. It could be your family, or it could be yourself, self-preservation it’s very important too. No matter how you choose to spend your time, make sure you make time for it. The simple answer to this question is because it puts everything into perspective. I’ve had some of the most introspective moments of my life while taking a break. Being away from your daily tasks gives you the opportunity to refocus and align your priorities on the things that matter the most to you. It’s time to get away from the day-to-day and take a break!