I don't know of anyone who on their death bed said "I wish I had worked more" and with three young children I had a wake up call a few years ago regarding my mortality and at that stage I decided that I had to ensure I was getting a decent work/life balance. Many in our line of work don't take a step back and look at the amount of time we put in, or the stress that will sometimes come with the job.
Vacations are important, but it is equally important to keep that balance during your working year to ensure that you stay healthy. I try and keep as much as I can to the "Life Charter" below. If I die, my employers will find a new employee, my children won't find a new daddy.
YOU ONLY GET ONE LIFE
DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY, AND SPEND TIME WITH THOSE WHO MAKE YOU SMILE.
IF YOU’RE NOT HAPPY, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
IF YOUR FRIENDS DON’T HAVE TIME FOR YOU, FIND NEW ONES.
IF YOU WANT SOMETHING GO AND GET IT, WHATS STOPPING YOU?
LIFE IS SHORT, DON’T WONDER WHAT IF, YOU DON’T KNOW IF YOU DON’T TRY.
ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR HEART. HAVE NO REGRETS.
SOME OPPORTUNITIES ONLY COME ONCE, SEIZE THEM.
DON’T DWELL ON YOUR PAST MISTAKES.
ACCEPT THE THINGS IN LIFE YOU CAN’T CHANGE.
TRY NOT TO CARE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF YOU.
DON’T COMPARE THE GAINS OR FORTUNES OF OTHERS WITH YOURS.
ALWAYS GIVE 100% IN EVERYTHING YOU DO.
HAVE DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS.
LOVE AND BE LOVED.
STOP OVER ANALYZING.
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE ONES YOU LOVE AND THE THINGS YOU ENJOY DOING.
SMILE AT OTHERS AND LAUGH AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN.
FORGIVE QUICKLY, EMBRACE CHANGE, TRAVEL OFTEN.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO FAIL. TRY NEW THINGS. TAKE RISKS. FACE YOUR FEARS.
DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT IN LIFE AND GO FOR IT.
DON’T WAIT FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN, MAKE THEM HAPPEN.
LIFE IS ONE BIG ADVENTURE, YOU ONLY GET ONE, SO MAKE IT AS GOOD AND HAPPY AS POSSIBLE.