The Europeans are on to something + I need your help

I’m finally back after a month-long vacation and I have to say…

I admitted two weeks ago that I felt guilty about taking time off and not being “productive.” It initially added stress to my vacation but any small feelings of guilt I had melted away after hitting send on the newsletter and receiving so many supportive messages in response.

Like Noreen said,

I feel guilty about a lot of things - but "not working" isn't one of them. After working in places that took advantage of people by installing fear of taking vacation, I make sure I take all my days. Having a personal business too does incite guilt because no work, no money, so I get that. But again, no rest, relaxation or activities that are not associated with $$$ reduces your ability to focus.

Numerous studies have shown that taking vacation time provides significant benefits for both employees and employers:

• Vacations provide greater opportunity for rest and better sleep, which can help unclutter the mind and boost creativity. 

• They can reduce levels of stress hormones and allow the immune system to recover, making employees less prone to getting sick.

• It gives you an excuse to sing Anna Kendricks’ “When I’m Gone” song using cups.

The only negative that I can think of is that you could come back so refreshed and rejuvenated that your computer barely recognizes you.

subtle handle drop - Instagram @drewtarvin

The biggest benefit to taking so much time away was getting to spend that time with Pretzel (my wife), my daughter, and my family, both immediate–mom and brothers–and extended–cousins, aunts, uncles, and Taylor’s Swifts new double album (it’s good but not her best work).

All told, I spent two weeks in Ohio with the family, did a road trip through Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama, and spent another week at the beach in Gulf Shores. We celebrated birthdays, had cookouts, went swimming and hiking, ate great food, and visited some incredible museums (The Legacy Museum in Montgomery, AL might be one of the best museums I’ve ever been to).

And the second biggest benefit was having a chance to reflect and think about how I want to spend my time as we move into the second half of 2024. All while eating an embarrassing amount of Blue Bell Blue Monster ice cream.

Maybe you can relate to this sense of reflection that comes from taking a break.

One of the main thoughts I kept pondering over is how I often find myself feeling very busy, yet I'm not convinced I'm being particularly productive.

We have quite a few projects on the todo lists at Humor That Works, but what is that all amounting to? Is it significantly improving y’all’s life? 

(Okay, I officially spent too much time in the south since I’m now saying, y’all. I done reckon I should be fixin to return to my regular speech before I get too big for my britches.)

Seriously though, is the work we’re doing significantly impacting your life?

Is it driving greater awareness about the benefits of humor, making a positive impact, or leading to increased revenue to be able to work on bigger and more impactful projects?

Is it fun?

I think some of the things we do are having an impact. But not everything.

So I’ve tasked myself and my team to take a step back and see what we should truly be focusing on. I’d rather do one or two things really well than do 10 things really “meh.”

While we do have some ideas, I’ve realized that I don’t always have the full picture of what people want, need, care about, or will pay for (either with money or their attention).

So I’m asking you. If you’ve got 5 minutes, can you fill out this short survey to answer what you care about? What do you need? What do you want to see from me?

I realize this is a big ask, so to balance it out, I'd like to offer a donation in your name to a cause of your choice as a token of my appreciation. A week from now, we’ll pick a name out of a hat and donate in your name, should you choose to share it. 

I’m looking forward to seeing what we can collectively come up with to make this space we all share, a better one. 

(an)drew

PS. Here’s the link one more time. Take 5 minutes to fill it out and you’ll have me “grinnin' like a possum eatin' a sweet tater.”