One of the best ways to get more productive and to accomplish more in your professional life is to take more time off.
I know that doesn’t make sense to most people. But of all the ways that i get more done in less time, this without question is my favorite.
There are several ways to do this that are extremely simple to implement.
1. Sit down and commit to at least several times when you are going to unplug for your normal routine.
This might be a series of three-day weekends. It could be several weeks, or even several months. DREAM BIG! What could you do in the next year that would be completely inspiring to you?
2. Make your commitment public. Tell your co-workers. Tell your clients. Let people know your plans.
This accomplishes two things. First, you solidify your commitment. In making it public, you have taken a major step in making it happen in that you have some terrific external accountability. Secondly, having the conversation with your co-workers and clients will require you get clear on everything that needs to be done in order for you to be gone. This is different than your normal vacation where when you return you wished you’d never left because your workload is so stacked up that you don’t know where to begin.
One of the major benefits of taking more time off is to amplify your productivity and your resourcefulness. In order to take more and more time for you outside of work, you will be required to become more focused and efficient while you ARE working. You will also need to improve your ability to forge partnerships and delegate. For so many reasons, this may be the biggest benefit. The person who “can’t be replaced” puts their entire organization at risk in the event they can’t show up … and oftentimes they do this intentionally as a way to elevate their significance.
It’s my experience that the most truly significant people in any organization are the ones that are NOT needed because they have helped so many other people become competent leaders in their own right that everything will get handled with or without them.
3. Systematically review your plan.
This will keep you energized. It will also keep your commitment level high to not bailing or watering down your plan. It is important that you follow through on your personal commitment. By doing so, you build your confidence and trust in YOU as well as you credibly establish with others that you follow through on your plans. Even if things don’t go perfectly while you are gone, you will learn a ton from the experience and as with anything, you will get better and strong results will some practice.
Post your plans for the year. If you don’t have any … get chasing after it! I’m off to Mexico for a month today – i look forward to reading your comments from the beach!
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be free! eric
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
I concur. As a writer, my work and leisure blend together, so I don’t really know how much time I take off each year, but I think it’s about seven or eight weeks a year. I know I’m more productive as a result.
That is great to hear Steve…
Hi Eric,
Awesome video, thank you. I am personally passionate about nature photography/videography and am going to make more time this year to capture breath-taking scenes and moments in time. I will also commit to creating a page where I will share some of my amateur photos and vid’s that I have taken in my travels.
Have a wonderful time in Mexico with your family and thank you for the consistent Happy Monday video’s.
Will
My pleasure Will – glad you enjoyed it. I look forward to seeing your page.
Eric, awesome video! One of my favs you’ve done. Thank you for the reminder to make sure there is some balance and setting some rewards as goals (I.e vacation time). I’m going to try it and I will let you know the results!
Thanks Chuck – i look forward to hearing about it!
I am looking forward to our time together in Palm Springs as my Mom gets a little stronger everyday I am more convinced than ever that this retreat will be so beneficial for me. Thank you for all your wonderful words of wisdom and have a terrific month in Mexico.
I’m looking forward to that time too Lany! It’s great to hear that your mom is getting stronger!
you are so very AWESOME, Eric … thank you … and enjoy Mexico!!
I totally believe this and told my wife about your thoughts and talks. We are already planning on taking a full month off next January. It may be a non-pay session outside the vacation allowance but, we will shoot for it. It will be as you said, un-plugged, no agenda, no commitments, just time together as a family. Have a great time in Maexico!
I love it!
Thanks for the encouragement, Eric! My wife and I have been planning on spending a month in Hawaii this fall with our kids. Recently we started ‘modifying’ the plan in our minds out of fear of not being able to afford the trip. I think we’ll have to return to our original thinking!
That is great to hear… There is always a way to make what you want happen and to stay within a budget!
Great content Eric. I know from personal experience that I perform best and am most effective when I adhere to this principle. Thank you for the reminder!
Brian, keep moving in the right direction!
Eric,
I was so excited to hear this video email! The timing was perfect for us!
I have always been a firm believer in taking time to “sharpen your saw” as I call it. Every morning I sit for an hour and begin my day reading, journaling, meditating and creating my day. I call it my hour of power. My husband and I travel a lot for our businesses and we also take the time to weave time off in our work schedule to experience the place we are traveling to. We also take the first weekend of every January and head to a quiet remote hunting lodge and completely unplug, review the past year and create our path for the upcoming year.
I was so excited to hear that you take 2 months off every year to break from your routine and recharge your batteries. I have always wanted to take a larger chunk of time off, however often thought that is not realistic or allowed that limiting belief about the “proper work ethic” to never try to make it happen. However, this year my husband and I set a goal to take the entire month of August and live out n the mountains of Colorado. We live in Florida and its always a time that business is slow and the weather is oppressive! We also want to eventually take the entire month of December off so we can really enjoy time with family and friends and really enjoy the true magic of the holidays rather than usual “tis the season to be “her-tic” ha ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha HA!
Thank you for affirming that we are on the right track! Thank you for sharing one your your success track insights!
Kindest regards,
Dana Jones
PS We had the pleasure of attending your December 2011 Freedom Fest seminar in Tampa Florida . I was a former Southwestern book sales woman!
Dana,
So glad to hear that this post hit a chord for you.
It sounds like you have a really good idea of what you want and what works best for your life.
You have discovered the secret of taking time for yourself to explode your productivity.
Keep up the good work!
You’ve truly lived this all your life and I love it! Thanks for sharing such a simple and yet such an important message! Leaving for Mexico myself in T- 13days!!!
Kurt, this makes me so happy to hear.
Have a great vacation!
Eric – Buenos días ¿cómo estás. Awesome line, “live a fired up year!”
Spencer, that’s right…”live a fired up year!”
You’ve got to make it happen.
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