Bridges Edition of 8/7/2007

2007-8
Bridges - August 2007
Welcome to Bridges, a monthly newsletter published by Robin Fogel, Executive and Career Coach & Consultant. My goal is that these newsletters include practical information that you can use in your work and in your life. If you found the newsletter helpful, please forward it to your colleagues, friends and family.
If you would like to take advantage of a business consultant or executive coach, please email me at robin@coachrobinfogel.com for a complimentary coaching session or visit my website - www.coachrobinfogel.com
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VACATION
Two years ago, my family and I went with special friends on a fabulous vacation to Italy. Before we left, I informed my clients that while I wouldn't be accessible on a daily basis, I planned to check my messages via internet cafes so they could reach me if there was an emergency. Internet cafes that I thought were everywhere. Everywhere but where I was. After that initial sense of panic, I realized that there was nothing I could do and for the first time in years, I was literally disconnected. And with this realization, that my disconnect was real, both literally and figuratively, I had the first genuine vacation since starting my business.

As I wrote last month, Americans are seriously behind a good percentage of the world when it comes to vacation time. Parts of Europe literally shut down for the month of August. The statutory minimum vacation in the European Union is 21.3 days a year. The average US worker received 8.9 in 2005.

Many folks are concerned that they will be viewed negatively if they take time off. And, they worry about the work that builds while they are gone. Nonetheless, the ability to have a vacation is truly regenerative. We live in a 24/7 world. If we don't find a way to disconnect, if even for a short time, we lose that restorative that comes from a true time out. Think about how often you have struggled with a problem or issue and have had difficulty coming up with a solution. Sometimes the harder you tried to work it out the further behind you felt. It was only when you truly let go that the answer became apparent. Vacations do that for folks - they provide the ability to let go so that things can emerge.

The need for a true vacation is becoming increasingly apparent to some elements of the business community. I read last year that the accounting firm of PriceWaterhouseCoopers shuts down twice a year, at the Fourth of July and at Christmas, to ensure that employees stop working and take a real time off. And, outplacement firms are reporting a subtle shift. They note that more and more recruiting ads, in response to the changing work force, are featuring "generous" vacation policies as a way to attract new workers. So, before summer ends, make those plans for some needed time off.
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GOOD READS
I recently re-read "How to Get Your Point Across in 30 Seconds or Less", by Milo O. Frank, a short book filled with great tips. Frank says that for every form of communication, spoken or written, "Know what you want, who can give it to you, and know how to get it". He says most folks tend to over explain. His book shows how to focus, use the "hook" technique and use anecdotes to make the point.

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For those who ask me what it is that I do, my business has evolved and I have been offering coaching and business consulting in the following areas:

-Business Consulting & Executive Coaching - working as an independent sounding board providing advice on staffing issues, developing emerging talent and helping managers sharpen their communication and management skills;
-Career Coaching for career advancement, change or transition;
-Not for Profit Consulting - providing Executive Directors with independent sounding board, consulting on staff issues, board relations and staff development.
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FINAL THOUGHT
"Vacation is what you take when you can't take what you've been taking any longer." -- Cowardly Lion (Wizard of Oz)

COPYRIGHT: 2007, Robin Fogel & Assoc., LLC. All Rights Reserved. May be distributed and reprinted in its entirety with copyright, subscription instructions, and contact information intact. However, you may not copy it to a website.