I’m writing my novel, not working.

Watch Jane on WTNH – August 11, 2012

How’s this for synchronicity? I appeared on WTNH early Saturday morning proclaiming the importance of taking time off, with intention, from your business.

This morning, I received this email message from my Virtual Assistant:

Thursday while working at my desk I experienced severe chest pain and nearly fainted. I phoned 911 and was taken to the hospital. The symptoms indicated I was having a heart attack. I was admitted to the hospital where I underwent a number of tests and was released Friday afternoon. The good news is that I didn’t have a heart attack but the bad news is the stress test revealed I need to start taking my health more seriously. This was a wakeup call for me.

I will be making some changes to my schedule to improve my health. While I will continue to maintain high standards of service to you, I have to start setting reasonable expectations for myself. This means I need to consistently start taking breaks, giving myself time to do my work at a normal pace and taking real vacations. I haven’t had a real vacation (the kind where you fully unplug from work) in more than 10 years. Mine have always been working vacations or long weekends. I’ve been fooling myself thinking that was ok.

She then informed me of her schedule moving forward–i.e. She set clear boundaries around her work and personal life and when I could expect my work orders to be completed (which I fully support and respect).

I asked my VA’s permission to share her message, which she promptly gave in the hope that it might help another compulsive non-vacation-taker.

As I said on the TV clip, don’t wait for the Universe to force you into a vacation. Now’s as good a time as ever to schedule your day, week or month off so you can restore your body and your mind to its full capacity.