The secret to being a better person is more fun than you thought.

It seems like every year I look forward to taking a long vacation with my family during the summer or around the holidays. Inevitably, that time would draw near and our plans would fade or disappear.

Sure, we have always taken fun, extended weekend trips, but that also meant still being plugged into work in some way.  After many of those short trips, I would immediately start thinking about that long trip we intended to plan and vow once again to make it happen.

Why it is so hard to commit to making trips like these happen?

·   Is it because I am afraid to miss something at work?

·   Is it because I feel I’m so indispensable that I need to be constantly available for my teammates and my customers?

·   Is it because I am unsure if I can really let go and enjoy my time away?

Over time, many of us who work hard to make a better life lose sight of why we wanted to do so in the first place. We hear from our mentors and our elders how important it is to enjoy our family, friends and personal time and yet we brush it off, caught in the endless cycle of obligation and responsibility.

Fortunately, I eventually learned to make those longer, tether-free times away a priority by finding answers to the questions above and addressing the underlying issues.  Now I think back to the extended, unplugged trips I’ve taken and smile at how refreshed and energized I am when back at work.  And wouldn’t you know it, nobody really missed me and my work was still there when I returned.  In truth, smart time away makes me not only a better employee, but a better husband, father and person.

It’s one of the reasons I love working for Pulsara, a company that understands the importance of time off, time with family, and playing hard to balance the focused work we all do week in and week out.  A company who built its values around its people and the motto, “Work hard. Play hard.”

So take time off ...  the benefits are beyond worth it.