Rest when you need to

I love this time of year, particularly when the days are crisp and clear. There's also the prospect of a week or two without any gigs. Don't get me wrong, I love being in front of an audience, especially when I'm being paid. However, I also like to be able to relax with my family, and have some "constructive downtime".

One of the speakers I saw in Canada put it really well. She said that people often gave themselves a "reward" of relaxing after a period of hard work. She doesn't see it like that at all. Her view is that a period of relaxation is an investment in your future health and well being - and that of your family too. It's particularly relevant for speakers. We're on the road (or on planes) a lot, and arrive home tired. We flop down, saying "Phew, I need a rest" (or words to that effect). What we should do is take a rest when we feel like it, and say "I'm building up my strength for the next trip".

So, I'm going to sit down, pour a cold beer, and invest in my future. Cheers!