Image by Usman Sheikh
I got a chance to take some time off last weekend. For a couple of days I literally shut my phone off, did not power the laptop and was not checking my email every 5 minutes. At first it was a bit strange. The first day I was most uncomfortable. I would suddenly think of something related to work and get tempted to put my email service back on. However, after a short while, I started to enjoy my time a lot more, and went with the flow of living in the moment. This trip helped me realize how I am always planning for tomorrow, next week, next month and even next year, and often forget to actually enjoy today….the moment! I have read “The Present”, the book talks about the importance of “today”, and endeavor to act upon it, it is however a lot more challenging than it appears.
Although it is true that the lines between work and play are very blurred for most entrepreneurs, the fact of the matter is that I enjoy my work too much and truly enjoy doing it everyday. Most things revolve around it and the best part is I have am very comfortable with that. However, balance is important to keep certain things in life in perspective. I quoted the “Jar Story” a while back on this blog, it is a really good reminder that even though we may be thoroughly enjoying what we do, we should not let it consume us to the extent that we forget about the bigger blocks in our life. Those blocks include our family, health and friends. Without these critical factors in place, it is difficult to achieve an acceptable level of satisfaction.
Mini vacations is something that Tim Ferris is a great advocate of in his book The 4 Hour Work Week. During this trip I really began to see the importance of these mini holidays. Even if it is for a couple of days, the ability to detach ourselves from our very busy lives can provide enormous perspective. I will be planning many such expeditions for the rest of the year! I would really like to hear from readers about places they recommend visiting for around a week. Look forward to hearing your suggestions.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hah! I totally agree with you!
The weirdest part for me thought, is that my “mini-vacation” happened on somewhat of a “business trip” recently when I was in another city.
Even though I had my laptop with me and all, I didn’t have to check emails or even work on it as much and it seriously felt like a load was taken off of me for a couple of days.
In the time that I didnt have to “work”, which was basically verbal and paper based stuff, just sitting and enjoying the cool winter breeze in a lush green surrounding for a long while without the urge of sitting in an air conditioned office in front of my laptop really recharged me!
Sometimes it takes being disconnected from everything else, to be actually connect with yourself.
“Sometimes it takes being disconnected from everything else, to be actually connect with yourself.”
Completely agree with that sentiment. Should do such retreats a lot more often.
Hey Usman
i believe Islam is a very scientific and practical religion. as you put stress on detaching yourself from everything else so as to enable you to connect with yourself….i would like to say that namaz is a wonderful way to detach with all the material lurings and to commune with yourself with Alllah, the almighty. it also helps you put things in a proper and ethical perspective,stay balanced and spiritually nourished. namaz is a wonderful opportunity to humble yourself and to feel protected by a higher authority on our lives….do you agree
Hey Saba,
Thanks for the great comment. I definitely agree that being able to detach yourself spiritually on a regular basis can have a tremendous impact on your day to day life. Like you said, it has a humbling effect that allows you to truly achieve a level of inner peace that is incomparable.
I look forward to hearing your comments more regularly on my blog posts.
Hello Usman
Let’s plan a trekking holiday to Hunza during the summer if the political situation allows. We totally agree with this concept of mini-holidays, it’s good to sometimes feel like you have stopped time (technically) to unwind.
Mid June sounds good…I am traveling after the end of June till mid August then. Let me know.