Melissa Woodworth’s Post

Something I learned from vacation: I've been beating myself to death at work over the past 20 months. Waking up at 0330 every morning, trying to be the first person to make it to work, then staying until almost everyone else is already gone. Running myself ragged. It wasn't until I went on vacation that I realized just how hard I've been pushing myself. Now I'm giving myself permission to get up an hour later. Leaving when I hit 10 hours and overall just treating myself and my body better and, guess what: I'm getting the same amount of work done more efficiently and not having to deal with mid morning drowsiness and fatigue. I feel better physically and mentally. Life is not a rat race. Neither is work. Treat yourself like a temple. Keep good care of yourself and don't try to be the hero all the time. It's not about when you get in and when you leave. it's about the quality of work you do and the legacy you're leaving behind. Learn from my mistakes. Treat yourself better.

Getting ready to take a ferociously necessary vacation, after what has been the most hectically busy year of my career thus far, and having those thoughts every creative person has every so often. The stuff like "Do I enjoy what I'm doing" or "What is actually important to me" that you have to kick the tires on every couple years, to kind of assess your relationship to your craft and what your value system is, as a creative professional. Here's where I'm at, right now. I believe, at a deeply fundamental level, that it is not possible to produce great art unless the people working on it can do so playfully. I think that's true of all art, but is especially true for games. Without a spirit of mischief and play, you might be able to produce a functional piece of craft, but any truly great art that results is going to be the exception rather than the norm. Playfulness + craft is what lets a writer use a dialogue system with timed choices to make a DDR minigame. It's what lets a level designer hide a mimic disguised as a treasure chest in the room AFTER the boss chamber. It's how you get a wizard who plummets screaming from orbit and smashes into the ground at the player's feet, dying on impact, with a note in his inventory that says he was working on a jump spell. For every carefully-crafted multidisciplinary moment of a game, where 30 people spend 2 months working to make 5 seconds really sing, there are just as many weird little moments of a single person popping off on a funky little tangent with the sole intent of making themselves or a coworker laugh. Show me a game/movie/whatever where the crew is laughing for most of the day, and I'll bet you they're doing better work than the one where everyone is angry and miserable, about 8 times out of 10. But playfulness doesn't just happen. It's a weed that will always try to pop up, but the second it finds the air isn't right, it'll wither and retreat back underground. Playfulness requires space. It requires safety. It requires permission and a lack of reproach. It requires nurturing and cultivation. Sometimes it requires a lot of loud construction and electrical work that seems unnecessarily complex or frivolous, until it's done and everyone steps back and goes, "Oh, it's a tree-house! We can have so much fun in there!" So much of what I do on a daily basis is just trying to create the conditions where playfulness can arise and thrive -- because I think art produced without it is, most of the time, doomed. In the same way that most experienced writers learn to trust the instinct "If I'm not enjoying writing this, no one will enjoy reading it," I believe that if a game is produced under unjoyous, unplayful conditions, it's probably safe to bet no one will find it very joyful to play. And on that note: I'm going on vacation.

Being Ok With What Is I just got back from a two-week vacation. Overall, the time away was good…but it was not perfect. This is how it always goes. Some expectations I had were not realized, a few minor “crisis” moments occurred, and there were a few unexpected “magical” moments as well. Upon my return it occurred to me that my vacation was emblematic of how life is. As our lives unfold things often don’t go “as planned”. We rail against this reality of course, claiming that things “should” go the way we have envisioned them. We also compare our lives to those of others….wondering why others seem to achieve the things that elude us. The solution to this self-imposed feeling that life can be “unfair” is simple…and yet often difficult to accept. We must somehow embrace the mindset of “being ok with what is”. Its no good to “wish” it weren’t so. That endeavor is a waste of time and gets you nowhere. Here are a few ideas that might help get us into the mindset of acceptance: Know that whatever is going on right now will not go on forever. “This too shall pass” can be a helpful mantra during times of difficulty Know also that what may seem negative and difficult in this moment may be leading the way for something even better than what we can imagine right now. It helps to recall times in our lives when something seemingly negative did exactly this. Know also that the experiences where we regret something we may have done are opportunities to learn lessons. That is after all what life is all about. We should really get “over” ourselves. None of us is actually so special that we can expect life to be easy and trouble free. It’s also true that we should forgive ourselves when we can see that some of our difficulties are in fact self-created. Knowing this means that we can employ the “lessons learned” adage and try to do better next time. Above all, its important to remember that life is short and none of us knows for sure how much of it is ahead of us. This becomes more and more true the older you get. So….I now say to myself as well as to you…learn from your past, forgive yourself and others, and then just “let go” into a future that gives all of us new opportunities every day.

🏖 Vacation 🏖 Upon my return I am feeling so grateful and recharged. There is a story that Simon Sinek shares of two lumberjacks that kept coming front-of-mind every time I felt this sense of gratitude and it goes like this: Every day, two lumberjacks start chopping wood at the same time and stop at the same time. Yet, one of them disappears for an hour in the middle of the day. Despite working fewer hours, he consistently chops more wood than his colleague. Curious, the other lumberjack finally asks, "Where do you go for that hour?" "I go home and sharpen my axe," replies the first lumberjack. This story is a great reminder of the importance of taking breaks and recharging. Whether it’s a weekend or a vacation, turning off and stepping away can make us more productive and effective. Remember, taking care of yourself isn't just beneficial—it's essential. #Productivity #MentalHealth #SelfCare #WorkLifeBalance #SimonSinek

You’ve been dreaming about that vacation for ages, thinking, "I just need that break, and things will get better at work once I’m back. I need to relax and take some me-time, and the feelings of dread, lack of fulfilment at work, and poor treatment will resolve by themselves. Maybe those feelings aren’t even real; I’m just tired." Let me tell you – you’re wrong. Five years ago, I had the same thoughts before embarking on a month-long vacation, believing that time off would fix everything. But despite the time flying by quickly, nothing magical happened. My work didn’t change, my people-pleasing habits didn’t change, and my lack of fulfilment didn’t change. I didn’t change during that vacation. I came back even more frustrated than before, as I no longer had the excuse of vacation to hide behind my lack of fulfilment. This year, as I return from my annual leave, I notice a significant difference. I feel energized and passionate about coming back.  I love my work, feel fulfilled and purposeful, and stand strong, knowing my worth. This transformation happened thanks to the therapy and coaching work I did in the intervening years and the pursuit of career pivots that helped me find the job I LOVE. The vacation this time wasn’t a rescue; it was a time to recharge and recalibrate my goals and dreams while spending quality time with my family. If you’re ready to feel energized, fulfilled, and passionate about your work, let's talk. As a leadership and career coach, I am excited to help you find the same clarity and purpose and address the lack of boundaries and people-pleasing behavioural patterns that hold you back. Send me a DM, and let’s start your journey toward a more fulfilling career. P.S. What was your biggest vacation realisation? #careercoaching #leadershipdevelopment #careertransitions #YouAreYourMostValuableResource

Take the vacation. Disconnect, recharge, be still and breathe. Do you ever find yourself questioning if you shouldn’t take the time off because you will just come back to more work? Take the vacation. You need time for yourself, your family and friends. Create the memories. You will not be disappointed that you missed that office meeting that should have been an email. Take the vacation. It helps to bring you back and center you. It allows you to connect and reevaluate what is important. So, if you are questioning if you should take the vacation… Take the vacation.

Your life is finite! Make the most of it! Instead of working 40-80 hours a week and giving your whole life to your corporate job, start dreaming and living your life outside of work as well. That doesn't mean you have to quit your job, but find balance and do things you truly enjoy and dream of doing. Have you always wanted to go to Aruba? Then set a goal, make a plan and start taking those steps toward vacationing in Aruba! Have you always wanted a family but you don't feel like you have the time to take care of children? Again, set a goal, make a plan, take action! Make your life yours and yours alone. Find balance and then you can enjoy your time at work more and enjoy your time away from work as well! Avoiding life or avoiding your dreams will only make you resentful later. I woke up in my early 50s when I got thyroid cancer and realized something had to change. Just waking up and going to work every day and taking care of my child every night was not satisfying me. I allowed myself to dream and then set a goal, made a plan and took action. Today, my life is very different than it was just last October, a couple of months ago. What do you really want out of life? Post in the comments what you dream of doing.

A situation and topic that needs to be addressed at the top of many meetings to start the week. If you lead a team or company, read these wise words from Dr. Julie Gurner until they sink into your being, policies, and behaviors.

For many of us, a vacation is the highlight of our year. So, it’s no surprise that coming back to earth and returning to work can sometimes make us feel down. But how down is normal? What if your case of the blues lasts longer? Debbie Garrick speaks to Dr. Rachel Sam, a consultant, career coach, and author, who shares some tips and tricks for beating the post-PTO blues.👇 https://lnkd.in/eR6vdNQP

Vacation was deserved!! Taking time off for yourself and your family isn't just a luxury—it's essential for your well-being and happiness. In the hustle and bustle of everyday work life, it's easy to forget to pause, breathe, and appreciate the little things that bring joy and fulfillment. Stepping away from work allows you to recharge, both physically and mentally. It gives you the opportunity to de-stress, unwind, and gain perspective on what truly matters in life. Whether it's spending quality time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, or simply relaxing in solitude, these moments help to rejuvenate your spirit and enhance your overall productivity when you return to your responsibilities. Zenning out and enjoying the small pleasures in life—like a leisurely walk in nature, savoring a delicious meal, or engaging in a creative endeavor—reconnects you with yourself and the world around you. It reminds you that life is more than just deadlines and tasks; it's about creating meaningful experiences and nurturing relationships. So, don't hesitate to schedule that time off, whether it's a weekend getaway, a staycation, or simply a day spent at home with loved ones. Prioritize your well-being and embrace the opportunity to slow down and enjoy the richness of life. Your mind, body, and spirit will thank you for it. Trust!