A few times a year I make it a point to get away for a workation. It gives me an opportunity to have some solo strategy time to write, instigate, create, plan and be inspired to do some amazing things ! I always get a ton done, am totally productive and return from a workation completely energized and ready to take BIG steps and make BOLD moves!
In this week’s Mentor Mondays segment you are seeing me raw, without makeup and completely energized about my business and working on completing some strategic projects.
I’ll talk about the essentials of a workation which are LOCATION, INSPIRATION and DURATION!
Here is what I brought with me on my latest workation:
Inspiration
Comfort
Education
Tunes
You can’t have a workation without MUSIC can you now! Here is my power workation playlist:
If you enjoyed this post, I’d be delighted if you would share it with others who may benefit from a fabulous WORKATION! I’ve made it super easy to paste in your status, tweet, post and more!
Take a workation to build your business. @avv tells you how! http://ow.ly/9Ix6i #mentormondays
When it is ok to work on a vacation taking a workation with @avv http://ow.ly/9Ix6i #mentormondays
How to take a productive workation. It’s all about LOCATION, INSPIRATION and DURATION! Ask @avv! http://ow.ly/9Ix6i #mentormondays
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Anastasia Valentine is an award-winning product strategist, CEO of a fabulous marketing and PR agency, speaker, published author and mother. She has over 20 years achieving amazing results in bringing ideas and products to market in the high-tech, music and retail industries.
She works directly with amazing solopreneurs, entrepreneurs, and small, medium and enterprise-class companies across the globe. Her approach combines her knowledge, skills and experience fueled with her drive, a little tenacity and a lot of moxie to launch and build businesses! Visit Anastasia at www.anastasia-valentine.com
Thanks for talking about duration as part of a good workation. I love traveling for work and play, but I’m not always good about taking time to relax. I think choosing a good duration is key to leaving time for relaxation. I’ll be sure to think about this before planning my next workation!
Yes, Yes and Yes to Workations!!
I don’t know how far away from home your secret location is, but I always have to go all the way to Thailand for my workation! When I’m lying in my hammock and stare holes in the air – that’s when my mind settles and when all these new ideas have space to come in again.
I find that taking yourself out of your daily environment, seeing new places, meeting new people (and being yourself, wearing no make up
) always gets your creative juices flowing. I’ve done it 4 times so far and I always come back with a notebook full of ideas; and my business always gets a little boost after Thailand!
Fabulous idea!
Certainly something I’d like to do; biggest challenge is $$$ – hardly unique for an entrepreneur with a 7-month old business, but that’s my challenge.
That being said; I make a point of downtime every single day and when I’m ‘done’ with work, I lock the door and go home. It is far from perfect, but it works for now.
An ideal workation for me would be a cottage with books for fun and resourcing; web connection and work-stuff as well as quilting/sewing stuff for a different kind of creativity.
Thanks, A.V. for another awesome Mentor Monday video! Love this stuff.
Hi A.V!
Thank you for sharing your secrets to a successful + invigorating workation. One of my initial motivations for starting my own business was the thrill of traveling and working independently from various locations. I was recently gifted a trip to Spain (going in April) and had been feeling guilty about fleeing the country after only having my virtual business doors open for three months. BUT then I realized — this will be the perfect opportunity to take my laptop + notebooks along and really get a feel for what it’s like working on the road. By the nature of the trip, I want have as much stability of location as I’d like, but will still be able to try out some of your suggestions.
And THANK YOU for the resources. Especially the books – me encanta!
xoxo
WOW! I had never thought of a workation! That is a wonderful idea. I always tend to simply take a vacation or stay locked up in my office. However, I know it’s great to change the vibe around me in order to up my game more. I notice at times, I don’t get that laser sharp focus that I need in order to simply get the work done. I too, love candles, hitting Khan Academy and your music list is HOT! Also, who can resist a TED talk to give you a pep in your step as you create! Awesome idea, now I need to put it into practice.
Anastasia – it’s no accident I got into blog play this week. I was thinking of how much I wanted to go on a workation and take my books so I could write more. I loved that this was your topic today. The video was fabulous. It’s such a cool thing that you did – took comfy clothes, candles, music, inspirational videos. Wow – I wouldn’t want to leave. Thank you for writing this. P.S. I love your web site too. You do fabulous work.
Anastasia – this is a great idea. I’ve never taken a workcation. I do know that I have lots of inspiration for my business when I am on vacation. Last summer I didn’t take my computer on vacation which was great, but I did keep track of all my thoughts in a notebook…. Hmmm, now thinking about where I could go and how to sneak away without my hubby and kids trying to come along!
This post is like a little workcation toolkit! You could totally make a product out of it
Wonderful advice and perfect resources. So inspiring and really puts some ideas in my head about what I need to do for me and my business. It can be a challenge to fit all that creativity and productivity into specific hours and/or with lots of activity buzzing around. I’m getting my calendar out tonight to get this planned!
Jennifer Peek
Find Your New Groove
Left-Brained Strategy for Right-Brained Businesses
I love workcations. I get so much done. No laundry. No cooking. I just love them.
And your suggestions are great.
I’m taking a semi-workcation in June for 2 weeks. I’m really looking forward to it.
Thanks for the post.
As always, great advice, thinking ahead – changes the whole trip!