Unplugging. Is that really a thing?

It’s been a while, my friends. In fact, it is a bit difficult for me to say this since I always want to practice what I preach.

I have not taken a vacation in over a year. I have also worked harder this year than any other year. Those 2 circumstances (no vacation and hardest working year ever) was the perfect recipe for burnout.

Sounds funny for me to say burnout… when this is what I help others prevent and cure. Fortunately, I saw the signs. This time was different though. Even when I wanted to take a break - I just wasn’t. I absolutely love what I do, so to me it seemed that a break wasn’t necessary. Boy, was I wrong.

As vacation approached, I noticed that I felt extra nervous. I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to unplug. I was growing even more restless as I anticipated lazy days by the pool with nothing to do. Seems crazy, huh?

So, back to basics I went. Thought downloading. Recognizing feelings. Incorporating things to help me relax. Taking care of major things ahead of time. Scheduling my time off and staying accountable. 

This time I prepared differently because I knew that it would take me extra time to unwind and unplug. I want to tell you what I am doing… in case it can help you plan for future time off. This week, I have planned for a lighter week from work and began limiting work hours. Also, a huge primer was to limit social media time. This was tough because I always want to hang with my Society group. 

But listen to this... all of my members reminded me that they better not see me online. My members are keeping me accountable. It takes accountability to stay unplugged.

So what next? After my “lighter week,” I will go into true vacation mode. I must say that I have the best assistant on the planet. As we prepare for our upcoming Transform group, we have been uber organized in getting everything ready. I strategically picked my vacation week before the start of Transform 2.0 so that I can bring it. But life is life and of course, one of our gifts will not arrive on time as promised. Instead of being upset, we are choosing to believe that our Transform ladies will just get surprised with a second gift.

Other things may come up next week… but I have committed to unplug. Again, it takes true commitment.

So I ask myself - what is the worst thing that could happen if I am not plugged in? I know I have my team, my members, my community... we will be just fine. There is nothing that needs to take me away from my family next week. It is time that they get the spotlight for a bit. 

Unplugging sounds scary to me now. It never did before. Sometimes, it is great to remember that it is necessary. It needs to be taken as seriously as plugging in. I think I will use the next week to develop some new beliefs about what I want to create this year. I will also spend some time honoring what I have created. Just as I tell you all... I definitely do not do that enough.

I am excited to see the transformation that comes out of this week. I know I will have urges to create some things. But, I will simply write it down and save it for the next week.

Time to unplug.