Unlike most experts in her field, Erika Andersen has an approach to being strategic that’s sensible and accessible. With her, you feel capable of creating the business, career and life you want. Nancy Tellem, Senior Advisor to the CEO, CBS Corp.

Jul
1

Back in the Saddle

Just returned from a truly lovely 2-week  honeymoon in Wales.  I thought very little about anything work-related the whole time I was gone.

As a result, this week I've really been able to hit the ground running; once again I'm reminded how important it is to periodically rest one's brain and body.  It's true even if you really love your work, as I do.

Maybe it's the same principal as when you're picking out perfume (this may be new information for some of you <g>): you can only smell a certain number of fragrances before your nose begins to lose its ability to distinguish separate scents.  I certainly feel a renewed sharpness and clarity in my perceptions, coming back.

I also notice that I'm much more willing to confront situations directly that I might have avoided or felt overwhelmed by, three weeks ago.  I have more mental and emotional energy:  I don't feel as though I have to allocate it so carefully.

Is this just me, or does taking a real vacation have the same impact on everybody?

Posted in News

8 Responses to Back in the Saddle

  1. Congratulations and welcome back Erika. So glad you recognized the effects of a “real vacation” – small business owners often have difficulty getting away.

    I have two vacations scheduled this year. One is a few days of reflection at a retreat, with a friend staying next door. Another is a week at the shore with my hubby and our best friends. Can’t wait to feel refreshed and renewed, as you do now.

  2. Re: [The Simplest Thing That Works] Mary Jo Asmus submitted a comment to Back in the Saddle

    Yes its all too easy, as a business owner, to find reasons not to take time away. My new husband is a great antidote to that, though hes such a wonderful travel partner that vacationing is much more attractive than ever before. ;-) )

    Have a great rest of the holiday weekend and marvelous vacations!

    E

  3. Wally Bock says:

    Congratulations, Erika! I’m so happy for you.

    I think your “before and after” description is accurate. When we’re tired and drained it’s harder to do good work and we’re more likely to take a hit from situations we can deal with easily in other times. Vince Lombardi had this one right: “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.” He didn’t mention that it also makes idiots of us – when we’re drained we don’t make good decisions.

  4. Re: [The Simplest Thing That Works] Wally Bock submitted a comment to Back in the Saddle

    Thanks, Wally!

    I love the Vince Lombardi quote…and its true. Someone to whom Ive very close is chronically under-rested, and I can really see how it shows up.

    And, as I get older, it seems to be more and more important to get both enough physical rest and enough mental down-time in order to operate at my peak…

  5. Rebecca Schlei says:

    Erika, we went to Scotland in May. It was fantastic!

    I like to use vacations as “before and after” opportunities. Beforehand, I try to get everything done and caught up so I can enjoy it, and then plan for other things to get done afterward. It creates a good mental break in my year that can’t happen even with a “staycation.”

  6. Re: [The Simplest Thing That Works] Rebecca Schlei submitted a comment to Back in the Saddle

    Exactly I was just talking to an executive today, a guy I was coaching, about thinking ahead in this way.

    You can also use this approach to move moveable things out of a high-task period. For instance, if youre going to have a couple of weeks or a month when you know that a bunch of (immovable) deadlines are going to hit what can you complete early and what can you delay, in order to keep you from being overwhelmed during that period?

    E

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>



About Erika

Erika Andersen

Since 1980
Erika Andersen has developed a reputation for creating approaches to learning and business-building that are uniquely tailored to her clients’ challenges, goals, and culture.

Learn more


Erika’s Insider List

Sign up to receive news and updates straight to your inbox.

For Insiders Only


Books

Being Strategic

Being Strategic:

Plan for Success; Out-think Your Competitors; Stay Ahead of Change

More info or Buy now


Growing Great Employees

Growing Great Employees

Turning Ordinary People into Extraordinary Performers

More info or Buy now



Find us on Facebook