As a single father I like to vacation with other families; it makes things more festive for my kids.

The general excitement of more people shakes things up and allows me to forget the stresses and pressures of a work-a-day world.

However, more people means more work.  More work means more stress. 

One simple stress (and source of work) of having more people is getting everyone fed. 

So, a convenient an additional benefit of a group vacation is that I get to socialize with other adults; but the real benefit is that I get to share a kitchen with my best friend’s wife.

You see, I love to cook!  I do not enjoy planning meals and I am not thrilled to clean up, but I love to cook!

The two of us together, in a kitchen, could feed an Army so long as we had 20-minutes notice. 

So yes, in a way, I enjoy the challenge, even the “work” associated with the task of feeding a dozen people on a nightly basis; so long as I have a competent team capable of meeting the challenge.

Here is an analogy, and in my mind it is not too much of a stretch.  During those times that your team is being challenged, look at your team instead of the challenge you face.  Is your team adequate?  Do you enjoy working with your team?  If the answer is, “yes and yes”; meeting the challenge is a vacation. 

The challenges are the reason your team was put together.

If the answer is “no and no”, or, “no and yes”, or “yes and no”; then I recommend a nice long vacation and a retooling of your team or your attitude upon your return.

Gotta go… I have got a meal to prepare; err, I should say, WE have a meal to prepare!

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Lon Kieffer, author of “Get Out of Bed and Go to Work!”, Speaker, Consultant, Executive Recruiter and Expert on Workplace Culture Change and Generational Conflicts, gives seminars, keynote and plenary addresses, runs annual sales meetings, and provides Common Sense Consulting at:  www.LonKieffer.com. He can be reached at:  (302) 462-6748 or via email at:  Lon@LonKieffer.com