In our go-go-go world, many of us are conditioned to feel guilty when we’re not doing something related to our business. Add this to the fact that most of us don’t get paid when we’re not working, and many independent PR and MarCom consultants fail to take sufficient time off throughout the year (which is ironic, since most of our employed brethren assume solos vacation at will).

This is workaholic approach is short-sighted. We all know that taking a vacation is an important way to renew and recharge, but – lest you think you’re doing your clients a favor by not taking off – you may not be aware that it’s also critical to our ability to perform. If you need more convincing, think of it this way: there’s nothing harder on your business than an illness, and vacations are a key way to avoid stress-related (read: preventable) ailments.

The good news is, there’s no better time than the present! With the holidays upon us, all of the sane people will be out of the office anyway. Yes, I know you can think of little projects you’d like to clear off your plate while it’s quiet, but just think how much faster you’ll be able to do those tasks once you’re rested.

In the days ahead, I’ll be heeding my own advice and unplugging to spend time with family. When Solo PR Pro returns in the New Year, there are some big topics we’ll be diving into that were too involved to post during this period, so stay tuned.

Here’s hoping that you and your family have a safe and wonderful holiday season!

Photo credit: Shereen M