I just got back from a 10 day vacation to celebrate my birthday 🥳 I got to visit two of my favorite places in the whole world – Newport Rhode Island and Nantucket 🦞🌊⚓️

Admittedly, before this vacation, I was a bit nervous. Even though I PRIDE myself on being someone who keeps her priorities in check and lives a well-balanced life, I hadn’t ACTUALLY taken a vacation – a REAL vacation – since over the holidays when we went to Big Bear for a New Years cabin retreat. I hadn’t put up an “out of office” message in MONTHS! Which… is not something I’m proud of, if I’m being perfectly honest. 

Now – 10 days later, I’m back at work and feeling SO refreshed and motivated to dig back in to not only my business, but also creative pursuits that I didn’t even know I had brewing! In fact, I was feeling SO refreshed that I wanted to reflect on just WHY it’s so important for entrepreneurs, creatives, and high performing professionals to take vacations. Here are the top four reasons I landed on.

1. “Unplugging” is essential

Simple put – being constantly available takes a toll. Even if you don’t realize that this is draining your energy (at best) or making you resentful (at worst), and even if you LOVE your work(!) – it still takes up energy. That energy needs to be replenished, and taking a vacation is one of the BEST ways to do that. 

Your clients will still be there. The work will still be there. And you’ll feel even more motivated and FUELED to tackle that work after a few days off. 

Need more tips on setting boundaries? Check out the “calm inbox” strategy here.

2. Creativity requires rest

In the same way that you can’t pour from an empty cup, you also can’t create from an overstimulated, overstretched brain! 

Taking time and space away from your business allows you to breathe – both physically and mentally.

And who know – maybe those problems and big questions that have been plaguing you for a while – creative solutions have a tendency to appear once we’ve provided SPACE for them to do so (this has certainly been my experience!) 

If you’re feeling stuck – taking a break (not pushing through) is often the best way to find the answers you’re looking for. 

3. Perspective, perspective, perspective

Nothing like a vacation to remind you what’s really important.

That client that is stressing you out? Not that big a deal.

The fact that you haven’t launched a new program in a while? It’s okay.

Looking around and feeling like your peers are leaps and bounds ahead of you? Who cares! 

Taking a step away from the “rat race” and escaping to somewhere that inspires awe, joy, and/or relaxation is a great way to “reset” your outlook AND your energy. Not to mention – to reconnect with “WHY am I doing this in the first place?”

4. You’re modeling positive behavior

At the end of the day, we are SO lucky to be entrepreneurs. To have our own businesses and livelihoods. That in and of itself is something to be incredibly grateful for (again – perspective!) For me, so many of the clients that I end up working with come to me because I have something that they want. I can’t teach them how to live a well-balanced, full life with a rich career component if I’m not modeling that myself. In other words, as an entrepreneur, it’s essential to “practice what you preach.” If there are values you regularly preach about in your business, you have to model them in your own life. End of story.

So – what are you waiting for? Taking that vacation you’ve been thinking about may just be the VERY best thing you can do for yourself right now!