By Sarah J. Glick

What if you could just get away for a few days? Maybe you would go somewhere remote with beautiful, natural scenery. Like the mountains or the beach. Maybe you would go to a large, vibrant city with a myriad of cultural and entertainment attractions. Maybe you would go all alone. Maybe you would travel with your family, a few close friends or your pet.

What if while you were away, you couldn’t be reached? Not by cell phone. Not by e-mail. Not by instant messaging or the ping function on your Blackberry. Not by your secretary, your boss or your clients.

What if you didn’t even think about work while you were away? Not that case. Not that contract. Not that deadline. Not that business plan. Not that merger. Not that closing. Not that pre-bill. Not that stationary supplier.

What if you participated in such a retreat at least once a year? Or twice? Or three times? Maybe it would become a habit. Maybe you wouldn’t be able to quit. Maybe you would start to guard this time like a tenacious dog standing over a T-bone steak. Maybe you would remember the tingle of anticipation that comes from knowing something good is around the corner. Maybe it would be just the motivation you needed to get through your “to do” list.

What if you took more than a few days for your getaway? Maybe you would leave for a whole week or perhaps two. Perhaps you would leave the country and visit another place far away. Maybe you would visit several far-away places. Maybe you would spend time with long-distance relatives or long lost friends. Maybe you would tackle that ominous home repair project. Maybe you would sit on your couch and catch up on your soaps.

What if you could take enough time off from your job that you could achieve a personal goal? You might take that cooking class at the community college. Or dust off your guitar. Or maybe you would finally run that marathon. Maybe you would trace your family history. Or, maybe you would finally use some of those scrap-booking supplies you bought two years ago.

What if you learned that your European counterpart, while typically earning less income, receives a mandated minimum of four weeks1 of paid vacation time? Perhaps you would relocate. Perhaps you would be inspired to do some research to figure out how to make such a system work here. Perhaps you would give some thought to what’s most important to you.

What if, for each hour you worked, it only cost your employer $1.77 2 to provide you with this vacation benefit? Maybe you wouldn’t feel so guilty for spending a little time away from the office. Maybe you really wouldn’t think about work while you were trying to relax. Maybe you would make sure your employer got his or her money’s worth.

What if you knew that this time away, could actually be a benefit to your clients? Your boss? Your bottom line? Maybe you would relax. Maybe you would feel recharged, refueled and rejuvenated. Maybe you would feel like you have something to contribute. Maybe you would get the clarity you’ve been searching for and be able to see the problem or challenge ahead with clearer vision and better insight. Maybe you would finally be rid of those dark circles under your eyes.

What if you made a commitment to use your vacation time this year? Maybe you would call a travel agent and book a trip. Maybe you would go to the library and find an exciting world between the pages of a book. Maybe that would be vacation enough. Maybe you would decide to go to that world in person. Maybe you would get on the Internet (or perhaps ask your kid to log on) and surf the Web 3 for a great vacation package you assemble yourself. Maybe you would return to that place you’ve been remembering so fondly for the last decade. Or, maybe you would strike out somewhere new and go exploring. Maybe you could start a new tradition that would serve to strengthen the bonds between you and your loved ones for generations to come.

What if you encouraged someone who works for you to take a vacation? Perhaps you would unintentionally prevent the burnout that can lead to attrition from your firm and the profession. Perhaps you would unknowingly be instrumental in giving a failing marriage a shot in the arm. Perhaps in return you would get a more committed, clearer thinking associate or general counsel. Perhaps you would unwittingly become a hero.

Five Ways to Give Yourself Permission to Take Time Off

1. Start Small. So, maybe you won’t book the exotic Tanzanian cruise your first time out of the gate. Try a long weekend to a neighboring city or state.

2. Plan Ahead. Give yourself plenty of time to make all the arrangements necessary to truly relax on your vacation. If you’re traveling with someone who is good at or likes to make the plans, let him or her take the reigns. Or, consider hiring a professional—it may be money well spent.

3. Get a Buddy. It couldn’t hurt to know someone has your back. Talk with a trusted colleague and ask him or her to cover for you while you’re gone. Offer to return the favor.

4. Know the Score . Get an accurate, up-to-date report of your acquired billable hours before your trip, and be realistic about what you will need to do to maintain your goal or requirement.

5. “If You Haven’t Got Your Health…..” That’s right. You haven’t got anything. Remember that your time out of the office can provide a much needed break to restore you to better physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. You may just find that you come back better able to accomplish all your goals—career and personal.

1. www.careerjournal.com, “A Shorter Workweek Indicates Lower Employee Productivity,” November 2004.
2. Employer Costs for Employee Compensation—December 2005, United State Department of Labor.
3. If you need a starting place, try www.worryfreevacations.com. It’s user-friendly and offers reasonable prices.

Originally published in the May 20, 2006 Oklahoma Bar Journal.

About the Author
Sarah J. Glick graduated from OCU School of Law in 2001. She began her practice in the litigation department of McKinney & Stringer PC.  Subsequently, she served as general counsel for the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Currently, Ms. Glick practices in the corporate and commercial litigation firm of Cheek & Gelnar PLLC.