That Holiday Romance with Work

Sun, Sea and Strategy

Since starting my company back in 2009, my working hours have increased dramatically in comparison to the days when I clocked up hours for someone else.  I never complain about the hours that I pour into my business though – it’s a labour of love if you like.

My biggest passion in life is my business, a close second to that is my travel.  Last year I embarked on the trip of a lifetime.  It had always been a dream to complete the Inca Trail in Peru and explore the Amazon Rain Forrest.  Finally it happened for me in October.  It was incredible.  I’d worked hard to improve my fitness levels which came in handy as I was running up the mountains in the Andes in search of phone signal and some sort of internet connection!

I remember being in the depths of the Amazon Rain Forrest sat with my lap top in the middle of the night, tethering internet connection through my phone so that I was able to email a couple of clients.  My intention was to send 2 very important emails and turn the lap top off again.  In reality though – something very different happened...

It had now been almost 4 days since I’d been able to access my emails, so as soon as I found a connection; my inbox started to fill up – emails poured in as fast as the monsoon rains.  I’d told myself not to look; ‘send these two urgent emails and walk away’ I kept telling myself.  But, like a true addict I couldn’t help myself!  

As I opened the unread mails each one generated more work that needed to be done, more emails that needed to be composed... so I indulge myself a little.  I allow myself an hour of work time... just an hour!  At 5.30am, our guide came to wake us up as we were due to go off trekking into the depths of the rain forest but he couldn’t find me in our camp, I was still with my lap top tapping away frantically – I’d not slept a wink, I didn’t want to go for an 8 hour trek with no sleep!

But trek I did... and I was miserable! I was tired, sleep deprived and covered in insect bites from the previous night.  There I was – in a truly magical part of the world – and I’m worrying about stationary orders, PSLs, contracts and tenders... something was most definitely amiss here!

Don’t get me wrong – I am proud of my work ethic, and I always strive for more – but when do you switch off? When do you swap the holiday romance with your lap top or mobile phone to a holiday romance with a cocktail and a white sandy beach?  When do you kick back, switch off and really relax? 

Lydia Carey, Managing Director, ProTalent Limited

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