Those of us who work at PR agencies tend to thrive in fast-paced environments. We like to be busy. We’re multi-taskers. We’d rather be expressing our creativity and strategic thinking on behalf of our clients than perusing the Internet all day, watching the clock and waiting for it to strike 5:30 p.m. so we can go home and do it all again the next day. But, this kind of work can be taxing, and it seems everyone I talk to these days is just as busy. Trust me, I’m not complaining. I love my job and I love being busy, but amid the chaos and deadlines it’s important to take a vacation or “time out” every now and again.  We have personal time off (PTO)/vacation time – it’s meant to be used.

As I write this, I’m thrilled that a fellow vacation time accruer, NST president Bill Trumpfheller, is in Spain right now enjoying a little PTO with his family.  I, too, am planning for a little PTO next week. I’m taking a trip to Zion and Bryce national parks where I’ll be camping, hiking and eating over a campfire.  It’s a needed time out, where I hope to re-charge my battery. At NST, we strive for a work/life balance, and taking time for yourself is part of that. Even if you can’t vacation, a local staycation or day off to relax can often do the trick and can make your time in the office more productive and enjoyable.  Happy summer vacationing!