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 I pride myself as being one who is there for those who need me. It is rare that if one reaches out to me, whether it be in person, by email or by telephone (including text), that I am not going to get back to them in a short period
of time. And, while there can be an admirable part to that, it also can become a burden, when it begins appearing that all you are receiving are cries for help and urgent messages one after another. One thing that I realized before taking off for our journey, (which would be by automobile from New Jersey to our destinations), was that I was not going to be able to respond as quickly as I normally do. Additionally, I realize that during the course of a given day,
(particularly via email), that I may receive about 90% of my email which is ultimately deleted quickly, and 10% that either requires a response or is of interest to me. So, decision number one I made before even taking off for our vacation was “I AM GOING TO LEAVE MY COMPUTER HOME!!” As, I also refuse to dial into my email accounts from my telephone, I made it clear in my absence message on my emails, I was not going to respond to anyone during the period I was away.
While it meant I had about 600 email messages over 3 email accounts to sift through when I returned, I never regretted my decision for a minute.
As the week emerged, the last thing on my mind were clients, coaching, webinars and networking groups. As I am the one best with logistics, I wanted to make sure we got to see the things we would enjoy seeing and make the best use of our time. Fortunately, my preparation and research before the trip gave me a basis for our journeys. Although never having been in the areas I was in ever before, I sensed I knew them very well, (at least geographically). As such, the preparation really began
to pay off as that which I had read about, learned about on maps or possibly had seen through pictures or videos, “came to life” in front of me. I went from Career Coach to Vacation Planner and Tour Guide. I also became “Student,” as I learned about the areas we were exploring. Such a focus was energizing for me.
The week brought to it unexpected activities, the most prominent of all being Hurricane Ian in Florida and later South Carolina. Our traveling companion friend I spoke about in the opening, lives in St. Petersburg, Florida. While her flying to meet us took place before the hurricane arrived on the Florida Gulf Coast, it was apparent it would arrive while she was away. While the hurricane had no impact on our vacation, (only having the remnants of the storm provide
rain on our entire ride home), during the vacation was being conscious as the week went by staying aware of the situation in Florida and what it may mean for our friend’s ability to return home. If our friend would have had to return home during the week we were away, she would have not been able to make it as the flight for which she was scheduled was cancelled three days in a row, before it did fly out on the day our vacation ended.
However, the hurricane and its impact delivered for me another message. As I indicated in the opening piece, I am not much of an outdoors person. During the vacation there were times I would moan about the hikes we were taking or how far we would have to walk to see something. However, as the week went on it occurred to me that I had little about which to complain. First of all, I had “full control” of my environment. I could pace myself on any walk or
climb which I did. Additionally, I could choose which activities in which to participate and which to let my wife and her companions do on their own. The individuals battling the hurricane were not so fortunate. So, as such, while we may feel that everything is going against us, there are others battling far worse than are we. Additionally, being an avid “people watcher” I got to meet and enjoy the company of people of all ages and also from different parts of the
United States and world than me. We all seemed to share the desire to learn as much about the areas we were exploring as we could.
I’ve been home from vacation for a few days now. Yes, I had over 600 email messages to check out upon my return, (fortunately again about 90% of them could be deleted instantaneously). And, some of the “work and networking” crises that I was dealing with in my life before I left have not completely gone away. (Some have changed “form”, some still need to be addressed). And, not everyone one of you who has challenges to deal with in your life can just pick up
and go on vacation to get away from them any time you choose.
However, I learned that “a change of scenery” is of value in modifying your mood and reactions to the challenges you may be facing. For me that “scenery” came in the form of being in locations I had never been before. For others, it may be an adjustment to their schedule. And, for still others it could be saying this item in my life I am dropping from my itinerary or taking on a different task that energizes them. Whatever, your
challenges, realize you are likely not the only one who may be facing them, but also, that there can be others facing challenges far more intense than the ones with which you are dealing. While not easy, it is your choice if you want to stay in feelings of despair and frustration, or move on to your next opportunity.
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