Holiday Breathers

Having just taken a month in Hawai'i, and being regular "let's take our entire three weeks to one month vacation at once" people, Ken and I can relate to The Frank Group e-newsletter article this month. John Frank is a very good friend of mine who gave us excellent consultation last year when Regina RESCUE Mission and Souls Harbour united as Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission. He also recommends Richard Swenson, who has been a real fan favourite at the Mission. Here is his article... hopefully he won't mind being our guest blogger today!

Taking a breather in July? You should. From all of my reading through the years I have found that most successful leaders and executives know how to recharge their batteries. I have read where people who are workaholics find they are much more effective upon their return to work when they take a vacation.

Dr. Richard Swenson writes in his book, Margins, we do not allow enough "margin" between our lives of work, family, personal, relationships, volunteering, and whatever. We run from one thing to the next.

I know we are all different and relax and recharge in different ways. Here are a couple of things I learned about myself and how I used a vacation.

The first was when I worked for a ministry in development, the kids were young and I had two weeks vacation. I found my mind took awhile to slow down. If I only took a one-week vacation I was slowing down by Wednesday, only to begin planning on Thursday for the Monday back from vacation! Can you relate to that?

Then we began taking two weeks at one time. We did a variety of things from visiting the beach, relatives, and sometimes staying home and doing projects. But when Wednesday of the first week was there, I was slowing down. From Wednesday to Wednesday something amazing happened - I was RECHARGING my batteries. When the second Thursday was here I was looking at next Monday, but I was restored.

If you are committed to your ministry of development you are always planning, thinking, and looking ahead. That is why you are good. You take every component of your development department seriously. The fall is only a short time away and everything must be ready.

So get yourself ready by taking a good vacation. Here are a few suggestions to recharge as you plan your vacation.

1. Physical rest - Studies show that sleep is still one of the ways for the body to heal and strengthen itself. Your immune system needs sleep to stay strong. Sleep in one day. Remember, naps are a special gift from God! Stewardship of your body is a key responsibility.

2. Mental rest - Remember that pile of books you set aside to read "when you had time"? Pick one out and start reading. I suggest you start with a fun book and not a business or professional book. You can read them on your vacation, just not the first book. If you start with a professional book first your mind may not slow down and you will go into "application thinking". No way your mind will get rest then. Read a fun book and lighten up your mind. (I highly recommend John Adams - a great book!)

3. Spiritual rest - This is a tough one because it varies with everyone. You may want a mountain top retreat or something special. But it may also just be visiting another church with a great teaching pastor. Or attend your kid's youth service, or skip church and have a family service. (OK, my boomer side is showing) Grab a devotional and try to read it everyday on your vacation. Revisit your prayer journal. (I do not know about you, but some of my spiritual disciplines have not been consistent through the years. A vacation is a good time to revisit them.)

4. Social rest - What? OK, this may just be me. But after meeting and working with so many people, I need a break from people! So on my vacations I only want to be with my family. Maybe you are the opposite and you need to visit some people you do not get to be with during the busy year. Have a BBQ at your house. Go to a movie with friends. Or if you are like me, be with your family only during the first week. (When my social skills have partially returned, my wife lets me be with other people during the second week of vacation.)

Those are just some of my ideas and experiences. Remember, development is a consuming professional. We are NEVER done. While this is exciting and challenging and never boring, it can also wear us down, wear us out, and burn us out. Then we are no good to family, friends, or our ministry.

Taking good care of you is NOT being selfish. It is being a wise steward. A steward who understands that each of us has different life and health issues must steward their bodies and minds with wisdom. I had cancer in my spine when I was 30. I was just diagnosed with diabetes in March at age 52. I have to watch my limits on things like eating and exercise. (One I am supposed to do less and the other more. I keep getting them mixed up!) You know your body and your health. Be wise and learn more about it. Signing up for the WebMD eNewsletter on certain topics is very informative.

I pray you get some great vacations, breaks, recharging, and restoration this summer. Your ministries and donors will be there when you get back. Make an investment in yourself this summer, and then witness the great ROI from that investment during the busy fall.


Blessings,
John

John R. Frank, MA, CFRE
President
The Frank Group