In life and in business it seems that every season has its own allure, demands, and consequences. This is important in coaching to help people maintain a work-life balance. To maintain perspective (and sanity) it’s imperative to have some time alone and away from work. Depending on your industry, an ideal time to take off may vary. For instance, summer is a busy time for lawn companies and other outdoor businesses. However, the last week of August was always a good time for a psychologist or coach to vacation.
My late husband, Scott and I always went to a resort at the Lake of the Ozarks during the last week of August. Oddly, we usually had the whole place to ourselves. I’ll never forget how relaxing and refreshing those hours and hours of boating and swimming were. The other reason that this was an ideal time to get away was that business is slow in August for psychologists and coaches. Sorry lawn care owners, you may be destined for a ski lodge. All of our coaching clients are on vacation. Other people are busy preparing for the upcoming school year. A psychologist or coach isn’t losing much money by going away in August. However, everyone must take some time away to renew themselves.
As a professional or business owner, the best thing to do is plan ahead for the natural ups and downs of your year. In profit planning my clients and I map out every month of the year. We pack more work and effort into peak times in their industry. We plan get a ways during a predictable lull. A getaway is an opportunity to have what we call a “metaview in coaching”. You need that distance to really see what’s working and what isn’t. You need space to come up with new ideas. I had my biggest breakthrough in a hotel room in Bethesda Maryland at a Mentor Coach Convention. It was there, in the silence of my room, that I understood that my life purpose was to help other people find their meaning and purpose. It was then that I realized that I would use my signature strength of perseverance to implement my plan.
To help you get the most out of your trip, I’m sharing the travel tips that I post for the guests at my country retreat, Sabbath Sojourn.
Sabbath Sojourn Travel Tips
12 Ways to Make Your Stay a “Country Retreat”
⦁ Go to bed early and sleep as late as possible. Sleep is the foundation for renewal and creativity.
⦁ Take a long walk. Nature and exercise clear and refresh our minds.
⦁ Pet a horse. Horses calm us, center us and lower blood pressure.
⦁ Turn off your phone and computer. Even if you are here on business, set some boundaries. Try unplugging at least briefly 2 to 3 times a day.
⦁ Think of yourself as being on a sabbatical. In a sense, every day is a Sabbath at Sabbath Sojourn.
⦁ Discourage unwanted communication. Tactfully inform people that you are out of town, will be difficult to reach, and will contact them when you return home.
⦁ Devise a plan for a colleague or a manager to handle any problems or emergencies. Rehearse these plans in advance if possible.
⦁ Manage your guilt by promising to bring loved ones and friends a souvenir. Dr. Mary can suggest a “magic” rock, acorn, or dried wildflower.
⦁ Declare a moratorium on worry. Pretend you’ve left all of your worries and concerns safely tucked away in a drawer in your house. You can address them later.
⦁ A good time for prayer and reflection is sunrise and sunset. Take time to celebrate a new day by watching the sun rise. Experience gratitude while watching the sun set.
⦁ Eat slowly and savor your food. Enjoy your coffee or meal on the patio…
⦁ Take advantage of a complimentary coaching session with Dr. Mary.
Click this link to have your own Sabbath Sohourn
www.airbnb.com/r/successfulspaces
Treat yourself to my AirBnB:
1) https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/49928708?translate_ugc=false&federated_search_id=2e557535-c723-42c3-b84d-02fd62bc7555&source_impression_id=p3_1629834222_3V8TCg1BLp%2BxEPYv
Welcome to Serenity
Mary Richardson, Ph.D., CMC
Psychologist and Certified Mentor Coach
