After returning from a nearly two week vacation I realized how important it is to take a break, get away, relax and recharge. While the first day back at work was a rather painful adjustment to the reality of work and not being able to do whatever I wanted for the day, on day two I realized that I had clarity on some things that had been rather fuzzy before vacation. It was like when the coffee kicks in on a morning after a good night of sleep and suddenly things make sense - only more so.
So my summer 2011 advice is get out of the house, get out of town if you can and spend time with people you love and who love you be it friends or family. Or, if you are so inclined get away for a few days alone. Do something fun, try something new, consider pursuing a hobby completely unrelated to your job. Leave the cell phone at home (or at the very least turn off the pulling of work emails.) I found camping where there is no cell signal whatsoever helps if self control does not allow a completely off the grid getaway.
