By Natasha L. Foreman, MBA

I needed this loooonng retreat to recharge, rebuild, refocus, reconnect and recommit to my goals and to my life.

I can’t give to family, my businesses and to my community if I’m totally drained mentally, emotionally and physically. I can’t practice what I preach if I’m feeling bankrupt on the inside.

So I took the time to invest in me so that when I return home I can invest in the people and things I care about most.

It’s good to disconnect when you can, to step back, and see things through a different lens. To see things you didn’t see, overlooked, or couldn’t imagine before.

When I return home later this week I will be zooming and zipping on a steady but persistent pace, with a focus on checking my monthly, quarterly and annual goals as ‘complete’, and doing so with a balance that I lacked last year and years prior.

This is the first trip I’ve ever been on when I truly took time out for me. Normally my brain is connected like a worker drone to my business, school or both. This time I made sure to carve out ‘me-time’ (even if that meant doing absolutely nothing but sleeping at the beach) and I’m more than pleased with what’s come of this decision.

I’d tell anyone with a purpose and passion to take time to invest in the things that are invaluable to you, starting first with…you!

So pull out your good ole’ budget sheet, a calendar, and a map, and plan your next vacation, retreat, or get away! If you aren’t satisfied with the results, then you’re still stuck and definitely in your own way!

Copyright 2012. Natasha L. Foreman. All Rights Reserved.