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I remember taking road trips with my family during summer vacation. We would pack up the car, the camper-trailer and head off to some faraway destination. The memories of experiencing Washington D.C., Mount Rushmore, Valley Forge, and "up north" - in Minnesota -  fill up much of my childhood archives.

As an adult, I continue to travel - I feel a deep wanderlust - and have come to appreciate all the planning that goes into taking a vacation.  I've discovered there are three distinct phases to a successful vacation - planning, preparation and participation. Choosing where to go on a vacation, though, determines nearly all of the following steps. Once you know where you're off to, the rest of the pieces fall into place. For example, the trip our family of five took to Yellowstone. First, we needed road maps and guidebooks. Then we found campgrounds along the way - especially important were locating ones with swimming pools. Then, the equipment for cooking, sleeping, and surviving hours at a time in a car. Food, clothing and cameras were last. Dad made sure the car had a check up and we were off!

We spent a lot of time and energy planning these vacations. It paid off! The sights, the new people and places were extraordinary, with memories lasting a lifetime for me. Sure, there were hitches - like the time my brother got lost in DC, the day we got tied up in a detour and lost our campsite, the burnt pancakes for breakfast (who knew how hot a pan gets on a campfire?!) But we also learned the expert way to roast marshmallows, some great campfire songs, the majestic beauty of the Grand Tetons and the depth and breadth of our nation's history.

Planning and preparation were key.

As I have worked with coaching clients, I've come to realize something very important. Most of spend more time and energy planning our vacations than we do planning our lives.

I believe there are three reasons why. 

These reasons are explored in my book "How to Be CEO of Your Own Life" - soon to be available for purchase on my website. I'll also be posting articles and stories of people who have explored and resolved these issues.

In the meantime, take a good look at your life. Do you have a plan? Are you following it? What keeps you on the path you're currently taking? What other adventures would you like to add to your life? What works and what doesn't work in your life plan?

Consider this. While you've been reading this article, your life - the minutes you are granted - has moved inexorably forward. Second by second, minute by minute, we use up our life time. Just like the 14 days of vacation you are granted each year, life is special, precious time. Give planning your life as much - hopefully more! - effort and energy as you do planning those two brief weeks.

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Somebody Said.... 

"That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet."
--Emily Dickinson

"The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it."
--W. M. Lewis

Healthy Points:  Celebrations with Soul 

Last week, I spoke with my cousin who had just attended her family reunion. The large group planned several activities, one of which was a Sunday morning worship service, built of the many talented musicians, orators and readers in her family. "It was a wonderful bonding experience for all of us."

Making each family celebration a bonding experience can add so much! Powerful memories, heartfelt expressions of unity, and beautiful moments of connection turn these gatherings more than just a party with food.

Here are some suggestions for adding more meaning to your get togethers:

And, as my cousin's family did, create a spiritual or worshipful time, using the talents of the group.  Even a pause for a moment of silence or a "thought for the day" can bring people together in a new way.

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LOL: Laugh out Loud!

Quotes from Mark Twain:

Reader Response:  

Mother's Day Memories were the subject and I've got a fun one!

"When I was in grade school, my Grandmother was a widow, working as a clerk and raising a teenager. My father, her eldest, did what he could to ease her financial straits even while he worked hard to make ends meet for our family. One year, he decided to give Grandma $100, but he wanted to do it in a way she would accept it. She is that way - doesn't complain, does what is necessary and reluctant to burden anyone else with her troubles. If he just gave her the money, she'd refuse it. He had to find a way to give it to her without her being able to give it back.

So, Dad bought her a new wallet to secretly put the money in. Unfortunately, he forgot to get the $100 in cash until Mother's Day - a Sunday. Back then, stores weren't open until noon on Sunday - if at all. Scrambling to figure out how to make his idea work he called his bank president. Intrigued by the story, this man agreed to open up the bank and provide Dad with 100 fresh $1 bills.

Gleefully, he and I separated the bills into many piles, and secreted them into every pocket in that wallet and then wrapped it up. When Grandma opened her gift, she exclaimed, "Oh! A new wallet! How nice! Who is this from?" No one would tell her, so she set it aside, turning back to conversing with her grandkids. We had to drop some very broad hints that she should look it over, check it out a little. First one pocket, and a few bills. "Oh my!" Then another, and another. She started laughing. By then, the whole family had caught on that there was a treasure trove in that wallet and kept shouting, "More! More!" Grandma pulled out every last bill, laughing and crying and smiling so big. My young heart was full of delight just watching her. I'll never forget that feeling -pure joy in giving to someone who was joyful in receiving."

Thanks to an anonymous storyteller for this contribution.

Next month: Please send in your stories of summer vacations, either as an adult or child. Let's hear how your memories of summer have lasted over the years. Remember, the chosen story receives a free gift - a copy of my book!

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Upcoming Events:

Please come to these events! I'd love to see your smiling faces in the audience.

July 13th, Thursday - The North County Business Women's Roundtable.
I'll be presenting "Avoid Flying by the Seat of Your Pantyhose!" at this breakfast meeting. The topic - Perfectionism and Procrastination. Contact SCORE to reserve your spot - 619-557-7272 and www.score-sandiego.org  (Note - their website says the speaker on July 13th is Patsi Krakoff - my friend. She has relocated and gave me this opportunity.) There is a fee.
Time: 7AM registration
Location - Oceanside, El Camino Country Club.

July 20th, Thursday - The San Diego Speakers Coalition Summer Showcase!
My Speakers Coalition is presenting an inspiring evening chock-full of information to improve your business and life. Serving as your MC, I invite you to join us. It's free and we will be serving light refreshments. Miss the traffic jams and gain new energy! See our website at http://sdspeakers.go.cc/ for more information and directions. Or call me - 858-270-1100
Time: 5:30 PM for refreshments, program 6-7:30 PM.

July 26th, Wednesday - I'll be presenting "Personal Boundaries: Serving Without Sacrificing" a presentation for non-profit organizations by Nonprofit Management Solutions.
Register by calling 858-292-5702 or go to: www.npsolutions.org  There is a fee.
Time: 9AM
Place - provided with registration

August 14th, Monday - El Cajon Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Breakfast.
I'll be presenting "How to Be CEO of Your Own Life."  Contact me at 858-270-1100 if you'd like to attend.

August 19th, Saturday - The Yet Unnamed Improv Comedy Group I belong to will be presenting our first public performance! Come laugh, be delighted and get a charge out of creative, quirky improv comedy. It's free!
Time: 7:30-8:30PM
Place: Clairemont Community Center at Clairemont Square.
Call 858-270-1100 for directions and encouragement to come.
Also visit Jacquie Lowell's website - our fearless leader -  at http://jacquielowell.com/

September 19th, Tuesday - Meals On Wheels Association of America Conference 2000 I'll be presenting "Leading Through Influence: Coaching Skills for Leaders."  To find out more about Meals on Wheels and this conference, visit their site www.mealsonwheelsassn.org

For Coaching or Speaking information, contact Rebecca Everett @
Phone 858-270-1100,
Fax 858-272-5525
Email: Rebecca@ConnectPt.com (NEW! - previous emails will continue to work also.)

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LINKS:

I have two new links on my website- check them out!

Other sites:

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