Posted by | CDS

by Dana McConnell, CDS Executive Director

It’s summer time!  While children lavish these long summer days and enjoy a more relaxing schedule, I have to admit that I also look forward to the smooth morning commutes of June and July.  There are no buses or school zones to slow me down.  Those extra few minutes give me time to get a jump start on my day.

Although CDS itself doesn’t take a vacation, we utilize our rare moments of downtime to upgrade our systems to the latest versions, evaluate progress toward our strategic plan, and analyze financial trends for the first half of the year.  It’s the perfect time for reflection by ensuring we’re on track.

This same concept should also apply to our staff.  We all need time to step away from the hustle of our busy lives to observe our personal priorities.  If family is our backbone, how much time are we really spending with those we love?  What about our interests?  If someone enjoys reading, horseback riding, or fishing, how often do we pause to enjoy that pastime?  According to a study conducted in April 2015 by the University of Pittsburg Mind-Body Center, “Taking time away from work does not just improve productivity; it also improves a person’s health.”

I was asked recently about how many hours I honestly work each week.  While I typically say 40 hours, am I truthful?  I work through lunch, stay later than I should, and often log in from home on the evenings and weekends.  What kind of example does this set for my staff, and is this a model lifestyle for achieving success?  Even more compelling, does this behavior help or hinder succession planning if this is the expectation?

These questions led me to realize how my actions speak louder than my words.  While I support our team taking the time off they’ve earned, I must do the same.  No matter how much I love my role or how significant of an impact we make to the families we serve, we owe it to ourselves to have a healthy work-life balance.

This summer, I encourage you to take the time to enjoy the longer days by planning a backyard grill with your neighbors, visiting the water parks around Greenville, or watching a baseball game at the Drive Stadium.  Take a look at our social media outlets for some great ideas for summertime activities and events happening around Greenville. A vacation doesn’t have to be long, it just needs to offer a refreshing break.  See you on the trails!

danas_vacation