On the Easter weekend, I went out of town and spent several days at my parents’s home. There I enjoyed the holiday away from my normal routines. While usually I have a set of daily routines related to my work or personal growth, I decided not to follow them and spent my time to do different things instead.
That allowed me to get more from the holiday. Here are some benefits I got that I believe you will also get from a good (albeit short) holiday:
1. My mind was fresh
This is a significant benefit for me. The holiday decluttered my mind. It’s like having a new sheet of paper to write on.
2. I could see things from different perspective
Since I spent my time at different place doing different things, I could see things from a new perspective. Seeing things from a new perspective is important to keep our mind sharp. Think of your mind as a double-edged sword. Using one perspective is like using just one edge of the sword; over time it may become blunt.
3. I had time to think
When I’m too involved in an activity, it could be difficult to see whether or not it’s right. But when I’m away from it, it’s easier to see whether or not I’ve done the right things. I also have time to think about where to go next. No wonder Bill Gates has Think Week twice a year.
4. I had quality time with my loved ones
Busyness might make it difficult to have enough quality time with our loved ones. Holiday is a good opportunity to get it back.
Looking back, there are several things I could do to get the most out of the holiday. I didn’t do all of them, but I wish I did. Here are 10 tips to get the most out of your holiday:
1. Forget your routines
It should be the first thing you do if you want to have fresh mind and perspective. You should be away from your normal routines.
2. Minimize your Internet time
If you were like me, you spend hours on the Net everyday. Continuing the previous tip, minimizing (or even eliminating) Internet time is necessary if you want to be away from your normal routines.
3. Go out of town
While you can also enjoy holiday without going out of town, being at a new place can affect your mind significantly. It helps you see things differently.
4. Spend time with your loved ones
This is perhaps the most important tip in this list. Though we (me included) could sometimes forget it, relationships should be our top priority.
5. Read something different
I mostly read nonfiction, but in the holiday I read a novel (Dan Brown’s Deception Point, to be exact). It’s refreshing.
6. Go to nature
This may not always be possible (depending on where you go for holiday), but it’s perhaps the best place to go to refresh your mind. I’m lucky because just outside of the town, there is a mountain with fresh air and beautiful view.
7. Connect with old friends
If you happened to go to your home town for holiday (like I did), this is a good idea. There should be some old friends in your home town you haven’t met for long time.
8. Go to unusual places
Try to go to places you rarely (or never) go to. If they are not already your favorite, you can go to places like museum or national park.
9. Make it your “think week”
Granted, you may not have 7 days like Bill Gates for Think Week. But the time when you are away from your routines is the best time to think about how you do things. You can read more about it at Think Week: A Great Way to Get New Insights.
10. Make it your spiritual retreat
Holiday is also good time to fill your spiritual tank. Praying, meditating or reading spiritual texts may give you more when your mind is clear and there is no pressure from your normal routines.
***
Do you have tips to get the most out of a holiday? I would love to hear from you.
译文:
十条技巧，让你的假期更精彩
上周末的复活节，我离开现今居住的城镇，到父母家住了些天。在那里，可以远离日常繁琐的事务，尽情享受美好的假期。平时总会有一系列与工作或个人成长有关的日程安排，我决定在这里度假期间，抛开往日的事务，来做些与以往不一样的事情，从度假中收获到更多体验。如下是我在度假中的收获，相信你们也能得到这些体验，哪怕只是简短的假期。
这是我最大的收益。度假能理顺我的思路，就好像头脑中有一张新的工作表。
2.能够从不同角度观察事物
因为我在不同的地点做不同的事情，才会从一个全新的角度观察事物。更换角度思考问题对保持思想敏锐来说很重要。思维好比一把双刃剑，只从一个角度思考问题就像只用剑的一边一样，时间长了，它就很可能会生锈。
3.有思考的时间
太沉浸于一项工作时，就会很难判断事物的对错。但是当我从中解脱出来后，反而更容易辨别我的决定正确与否。我也会有时间思考下一步要往哪里走。难怪比尔·盖茨一年会有两次“思考周”。
4.和爱人度过美好的时光
由于忙碌，可能会很少有时间与爱人一同度过美好的时光。度假正是一个很好地挽回这一遗憾的机会。
追忆以往，我还会做如下的这些事情来让我的假期更精彩，我没有全做，但希望我可以。如下十条技巧，会让你的度假体验更精彩。
1.抛开你的日程安排
如果你想拥有清晰的头脑和不同的视角，这就应该是首要事宜。你应该将日常事务完全抛开。
2.上网时间达到最少
如果你曾和我一样，每天都会上网达几小时，那么请在遵循第一条招术的同时，让你的上网时间达到最少（或者杜绝上网）。如果你想更好地抛开从日常事务，这是十分必要的。
3.离开城镇
不用离开城镇，你也同样可以享受乡村生活，在一个新的地方，就能很大程度上影响你的思维。它能够帮助你观察到不同的事务。
4.与你的爱人共度
这也许是我所列清单中的最重要的一条。尽管我可能有时会忘记，但是情感关系确是首要考虑的。
5.读些不同的东西
我平常总会读些散文，但是假期期间我就读了一本小说。（丹·布朗的《骗局》）它给我带来另外一种享受。
6.回归大自然
并不是总有这个可能（取决于你要去哪里度假），但是，这可能是最好的解放大脑的好地方。我很幸运，可以走出城镇，享受山间清新的空气和美好的风景。
7.与老朋友联络
如果你有幸回老家度假（像我这样），这可是个好主意。那里会有你很久都没见的老朋友。
8.去不同的地方
尝试着去你很少（或从未）去过的地方。如果你不愿意去，你可以去其它的地方，如，博物馆或者国家公园。
9.让它成为你的“思考周”
确实，你可能并不会像比尔·盖茨一样有7天的思考周，但是当你抛开日常事务后，就应该思考做事的方式方法。你可以在思考周：获得新见识的伟大的方法中了解到更多。
10.成为你的精神支持
度假也是给你精神支持的好时机。当你的头脑清晰的时候，祈祷，沉思或者阅读精神文章，可能会给你支持，而且不会有来自日常事务的压力。
***
你有让假期更精彩的好建议吗？我很想听听看你的建议。