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I love hiking in Umstead State Park early in the morning. Trees shade the path, and the recent rains turn the leaves and undergrowth a deep green. Woodpeckers drum in the distance, birds sing, and squirrels scurry among the branches. The trail I follow winds along a gurgling creek and a slight breeze blows overhead. Dragonflies and butterflies float above the water. I am alone and tension evaporates. I stop, look around, take a deep breath, and relax in the peace and solitude.
Yesterday was my dear friend Amy’s birthday. Since her special day is on the first, she has appropriated all of September as her birthday month, celebrating accordingly. Personally, I’ve never been a big birthday person, and acknowledging my own has become less and less important to me the older I’ve gotten. But Amy’s attitude of celebration has gotten me thinking about how we celebrate (or don’t) in the workplace. I’m not talking about balloons or cake or gifts – though those are all good things – but rather about acknowledgment, recognition, and appreciation for achievements in the (virtual or physical) office.
I’m going on vacation next week – YIPPEE! It’s not anywhere fancy, just the beach (though the North Carolina coast is pretty incredible), but this will be the first time I have taken off more than two continuous business days in a year. And I am pretty darn excited. Each year, a group of friends and I celebrate the end of summer with a weeklong beach vacation where all professional (and some personal) responsibilities are checked at the door. No work emails, no work calls, no work period.
Being prepared crosses all parts of life in small “Do I have my mask?” “Am I off mute?” ways and in big “Do I have the necessary supplies for the approaching hurricane?” ways.
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