As 2013 draws to a close it is time to start making plans for 2014. This is the time of year for resolutions, action plans and performance reviews. It is the time to think about the programs and services at your library and how you can improve on them in the next year. While this stuff is important, don’t forget to also take care of yourself.
This is the perfect time of year to decide what you are going to do with all of that vacation time. Whether you have 8 hours or 80 hours in your vacation bank right now, you will earn some over the next year, so plan to use it!
I hope that everyone reading this thinks that this is ridiculous and obvious. I hope so, but I doubt it. In 12 years of professional librarianship, this is the FIRST TIME I am planning my vacations out for the year to be sure that I take them. I had a dear officemate (hey, BW!) who did this for YEARS and I saw how good it was for her and her family. It only took me 8 years to finally give it a try.
Whether you enjoy cruises, Appalachian Trail hikes or staycations, plan them now, get them scheduled. You will have something to look forward to, something to plan on and something to get you away. I KNOW that you LOVE your job! I totally love my job too, but I know that I am better at it when I take a break from it every once in a while.
Take care of yourself & take a vacation.
Kelly Doolittle
Bless you! It IS so important to do this, and it IS so hard to make yourself do it! You’ve given me a new New Year’s resolution! We do love our jobs, but we absolutely should not let guilt or idealism get in the way of taking time off and relaxing or just doing what you love best outside of work.
Thanx for this post!
Kelly Doolittle, Library Assistant, TCPL