Taking a Vacation? Maya Angelou Says You Should

Business leaders are working overtime to keep their companies ahead of the curve and on the cutting edge in a new, post-recession economy. In fact, a new survey found that only half of workers in management positions plan to take a vacation this summer. The Chartered Management Institute (CMI), a source for professional management courses and programs, surveyed 838 business leaders and found 69% said they were hesitant to take a vacation because of their towering workloads. Although only half have booked a summer vacation, 88% believe taking a holiday is rejuvenating.

Most people know the benefits of taking a break from work but have a hard time separating themselves from the office. Maya Angelou, author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and other notable publications, shines a light on the need to separate oneself from the daily grind.

“Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers, and friends can exist one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence. Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.” – Maya Angelou

Work isn’t going anywhere, but if you don’t take a break every once in a while to get away from it, all those “cares” could become too much to handle. Trust your team and consider taking to heart Maya’s words as you’re deciding if you can get away from the office for a week or two – or even just a day.

How do you get refreshed as a leader? Let us know in the comments section below!

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Take Time to Relax and Refresh | Garnish Your Life - November 28, 2014

    […] This is great advice if you are the one giving it, isn’t it? Actually taking time to relax and refresh in the demanding rush of activity around the holidays is another matter. I’m asking you to shift your focus and perspective by taking what the poet Maya Angelou called “A Day Away.” […]

  2. How to Use Your Winter Vacation to Boost Your Career - January 28, 2020

    […] “Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers and friends can exist one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence. Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.” – Maya Angelou […]

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