Quality Time

Just got back from a fabulous cruise with my daughter, who's heading to Brandeis University next year. Just the father-daughter thing which was great. Really missed my son (he's 6 in a week), fabulous wife and wonder pup Toby, but had a really great time just relaxing, hitting the islands, nice dinners and yes a few trips to the blackjack table (daughter played too!) to help pay for it all...

In my office I've always had the rule that you lose your vacation if you don't use it. The reason is not to be a Scrooge, but rather the opposite - namely I want my staff to take all the vacation they are entitled to each year. If not, it is too easy to burn out. I've known people who left a job with 3 months of unused vacation, which to me is crazy.

Life is way too short not to make the most of every single stage. So if you are reading this as a young single, recently married, new children, teenagers, grown kids or even ready to retire, take that extra time with all the people who matter to you. No one on their death bed ever said, "I wish I spent more time at the office." Of course, in a perfect world you enjoy your work (as I do) and also make time for family and friends.

The people in our lives also keep us grounded. If anyone ever feeds my ego just a bit, I just have to go home and take out the garbage to put things in perspective. Lean on them as you deal with all that life throws at you. As for my daughter and me, well, that bittersweet moment where she begins life on her own is just a few months away, and I savored every second of our seven days alone together.

OK, back to the RM world this week!