Whether they are ranchers, cowboy singers, hotel housekeepers, foodservice employees or are involved in the myriad jobs around here, people in Cody/Yellowstone Country work hard.
Some of us pretty go at it non-stop during the peak tourist season (and no, you don’t want to see the grindstone when we’re done with it) and then take time off during the shoulder season. Others work closer to traditional 40-hour weeks and play on weekends and vacations.
Whatever suits you best is my belief.
What I don’t like, however, are the people who think they are indispensable and leave vacation time on the table every year. You know who you are or you know the type.
Some are worried that the boss will think less of them if they are out of the office, store or restaurant instead of producing. Others cannot imagine the business surviving without them, and still more are worried about that ambitious young 20-something taking their jobs if they aren’t there to do it themselves.
I got some news for you. You aren’t doing anybody any favors by refusing your time off. We all need to get away from work, relax and recharge our batteries.
So when I heard about the U.S. Travel Association’s Project: Time Off initiative, I was intrigued.
According to USTA, more than half (54 percent) of Americans do not take all of their vacation days. How many days total? Try 662 million.
To encourage more of us to use those days this year, Project: Time Off is designating National Plan for Vacation Day on January 30.
Use your vacation days.
The organization is encouraging people to plan their holidays sooner rather than later because its research shows that planners have a distinct advantage over non-planners. Project: Time Off’sThe State of American Vacation 2017 report found that planners use more of their time, take longer vacations and are happier.
Here’s a vacation idea. Spend a quiet morning fishing in a world-class trout stream. Cody’s many outfitters can tell you where to find them.
Specific findings include:
- 52 percent of planners took all of their vacation time vs. 40 percent of non-planners.
- 75 percent of planners were more likely to take a full week of vacation time or more at a time. Non-planners take significantly fewer days—zero to three—than planners.
- More planners report they are “very” or “extremely” happy with their relationships, health, and well-being, company and job compared to non-planners.
As someone who deals with people on vacation on a near-daily basis, I can assure you that they are indeed happier. That one seems obvious.
Another popular way to spend vacation time is to discover your inner cowgirl at a dude or guest ranch.
I cannot encourage you enough to take your time off and be part of this planning day if you have not made plans yet. Follow this link for the Project: Time Off vacation planning tool. By simply entering the number of days off earned, you can plot out your trips or vacations for the year, export to your work or personal calendar, and share with your family and co-workers.
Many vacationers take a day tour into Yellowstone National Park to see the park’s abundant wildlife and other features.
And if you are looking for vacation ideas, I know some places in Northwest Wyoming I can recommend.
Until next week, I am lovin’ life – and taking all my vacation days – in Cody, Wyo.
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