Time Well Spent

We typically spend one-third to one-half of our day at work. It anchors our schedule. Work consumes our best efforts and most dedicated thinking. It defines how we view the utility of our day.

So what happens when you remove work? For a two-week vacation most will focus on how best to decompress. You wipe the calendar clean. Take a trip. Turn off. That may be appropriate for two weeks or even two months. However, a year of turning off quickly can turn into a year of turning sour.

When planning a year away from your core job, you often are best served to keep that "work" mindset. Maintain a schedule of waking up early. Keep up the pace of activity. Dedicate time each day to accomplish the one most important thing before getting caught up in the fifty small tasks needed to keep the ship afloat. That mindset will serve you well when it's time to dive back into your core job. You'll still have the mentality and muscle memory to push through tough times.

Additionally, the most meaningful "work" is nearly always done in the service of others. This is certainly true when serving customers and clients. The same can be seen outside the corporate world. "Work" can be in the service of your family and community. Maybe you build a new deck for the house. Or, begin raising chickens. Perhaps you schedule time each week to read to your kids' classes at school. Volunteering at church offers an endless set of service opportunities.

I've been a jiujitsu/grappling enthusiast for years. One goal during this past twelve months was to establish classes in my small Midwest hometown. Now twenty of us gather together twice a week. Law enforcement officers, store clerks, railroad workers, farmers. Though in service to the participants, teaching these classes has been more personally fulfilling than I could have imagined.

At the end of a hiatus from your core job you don't want to look back and wonder where the time went. Obviously twelve months gives you the opportunity to plan for large projects. Take advantage of that time. The same is true for the two days on a weekend. Better to hit the alarm on Monday knowing you've accomplished something on Saturday and Sunday.

Now, in the next three weeks I just need to finish the landscaping around the house...