Summer

If you live in the US and have European colleagues - you know that we are doing it wrong.

Come June, every European colleague starts mentioning they'll be out of office.

Don't bother emailing or calling, they aren't checking.

They'll let you know when they are back in office, probably in July, maybe August.

And they come back and they are tan and well-rested and energized and full of ideas and hit the ground running.

While the US teams are just as weary, despite taking 2 very lovely 3 day weekends.

I hope you enjoy time off this summer.

It's pertinent to your well being as a human being and as a bonus - it makes you a better worker when you return. It definitely makes you a better colleague.

This summer I...

• went backpacking (the dirty, hot, and smelly in the mountains camping kind - not the cool kids traveling across Europe kind)

• volunteered for the world cup (discovered a newfound love of soccer - Go España!)

• got to introduce my nephew to a moose (and 2 moose babies)

• sold my house

• spent time with friends across the globe

• rode an e-bike for the first time

• and finally read Homer's The Odyssey in it's entirety (before the movie came out)

• watched a meteor shower

• celebrated my grandfathers 93rd birthday

• attended a chicken parade

• and spent lots of time playing, swimming, and being outside

Cheers to summer and to rest and to unplugging and to life.

It's not too late to take time off and go jump in a lake or blow some bubbles.