Vacations are the death of commitments it seems. I have miraculously survived a couple of them over the last 573 days. However, I am on day 1 of a longer vacation in a relaxing environment. Yup. I am up at 5:00am again. Before I knew what I was doing, I had my running shoes on, notebook out and was opening up my computer to type this blog. I should be sleeping in, or should I? That is the question for this morning.
Take a complete break from all commitments, or soldier on and keep them despite the fact that I am on vacation. I pick the later. Why? I think the main reason is that a commitment is a commitment. I made a solemn vow to do certain things the rest of my life, and I am quite literally counting the days. Incremental and improving day by day. I am living by an important concept, every day I want to be better comparably to what I was yesterday. This only happens with gradual, consistent and forward momentum. I just do not have the luxury of a back slide.
However, I can hear the thoughts from the other side already. You deserve a break! Relax! Chill out! You have to incorporate some down time in your plan. I suppose that is true. I suppose there is wisdom there. I also suppose that is my weak, natural mind trying to get out of my commitments. Sorry sucker, you can go back to sleep and relax by the beach AFTER you run 8 miles up that volcano in the distance. Look at this way, how much easier and happier will it be to relax, knowing that I fulfilled my core commitments this morning? I think much better. So concept #1 on vacation – keep your core commitments no matter how much you do not want to.
Concept #2. Now this one is really interesting. Not sure how to grapple with this thought. Normally on a day like today, I am getting ready for a flurry of conference calls and meetings. Would be sitting in my office, following up on things I started earlier in the week. Lots of emails, phone calls, and skype sessions. However, today I get to focus on more important things. Like my family for instance. Which I will do, I have already planned a bulk of the day to spend with them. However, there is dead time. Time when people are sleeping, time I will have to myself. What do I do with that.
One good option is to just lay around and do nothing. That has some appeal. I will try that, but it is probably not going to work out for me. Another good option I think is to focus on really making my commitments count. For example, what a awesome place to do one of my meditation sessions. I could really see if I can get to another level with my meditation routine. I am trying to be physically healthy, there is a ton of things around here that I can do to focus on that as well. Running around here is awesome as well. Trails everywhere. So perhaps, I can keep my core commitments, and magnify them, rather than just doing the bare minimum. What would be more refreshing after a week vacation? A vacation of laying around and doing nothing and feeling very lethargic when I return back to action? Or a week of focused activity where I am improving and enhancing my personal commitment, my family relationship, and soothing my inner soul? I have never had a week of focused time like that, I think I will give it a shot.
Also, this is a great week to focus on some really big conceptual challenges. I never have time to ponder big ideas. I have a few circulating in my mind. This seems like a great week to do that. I am going to make a commitment for the next week to focus on some leadership concepts and see if I can visualize how to make them a reality. Getting out my notebook, I making a note. Every day, I am reserving time for that contemplation. Maybe I will do that on a quiet, relaxing walk each day.
The point of this blog is to remind ourselves not to ever take a “break” from habits and commitments. Rather, use time away from your normal schedule to improve them, magnify them and deepen your resolve. I will give it a shot this week and let you know how it goes.
Guy Reams (573)
