Taking Time In

We hear and use the term “taking time off” frequently in our culture. But the seemingly harmless preposition “off” here places focus on the thing we’re trying to get away from, rather than the thing(s) we might be seeking to move towards. In a culture hyper-focused on work and productivity, taking time “off” can be challenging, sometimes even more stressful than just “staying on,” but what about if we think of it as time “in” or time “with” instead?At Prism Group, we not only have a 4-day work week for each of our employees, we also have no strict vacation policy. It’s not because we don’t believe in the value of hard work. It’s because we understand that the best work happens when each of us is able to show up as our best selves, and we know that “Self” is cultivated through rest, time with family and friends, time away from the office, time with nature. Even while knowing this, we still struggle to fully unplug, and we too wrestle with the elusive “work-life balance.” However, after time with grandchildren, time in the garden, time with a book, or a weekend away with a loved one, the power of “time off” becomes clearer than ever.The truth is, we all need time “off.” It’s impossible to always be “on,” and we are called human beings not human doings for a reason! Our time “being” might look different for all of us, but its value is practically the same: to keep us grounded in who we are, not just what we do, and remind us of the things that truly matter in life. We know it can be hard. We know it can be scary. We feel those things too when we take time “off” in order to spend some time “in” and “with,” but we encourage you to make sure you take some time for you soon, so that you can continue to show up as the best “you” you can be, not only at work, but at home, with your family, with your friends, and your community.