Another beautiful day here in Ireland. Bright sunshine with a temperature around 60 degrees. This morning, we drove from Waterford City down to Cobh to visit that seaside town. From the 1848 through 1950, more than 6 million people emigrated from Ireland, with 2.5 million departing from Cobh (including my grandparents, aunt and father). Most went to America, with many more going to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and in some cases, South America. This exodus was largely a result of poverty, crop failures, the land system and a lack of opportunity. And the Cobh Heritage Centre, tells the sad story of this mass departure of so many Irish from their homeland.
Cobh is also known as the last stop for the fabled Titanic. The Titanic sailed from Cobh (then known as Queenstown) at 1:30 PM on April 11, 1912. As we all know, the grand ship sunk in the North Atlantic on April 15, 1912, killing 1,517 passengers and crew.
On May 7, 1915, the Cunard liner Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-Boat. The incident took place 10 miles of the Old Head of Kinsale in Co. Cork, not too far from Cobh. A flotilla of rescue boats was launched and 761 people were saved. Of the 1,198 passengers who died, most were never recovered. the survivors were taken to Cobh after their rescue.
You can learn all about these events at the Cobh Heritage Centre, which is located in the old Cobh railroad station. In addition, there is an information desk, where, for 10 euros for 30 minutes, an individual can help you trace your Irish heritage with any information you can provide. We gave her some information about my wife's family that left Ireland in the 1850's. Though we were not able to pinpoint any specific information, we now know where to go for further information when we return home.
We also enjoyed a great bowl of soup and some good coffee and scones in the cafe' at the center. All in all, our journey to Cobh was a phenomenal experience.
Next, a short drive down to Cork and then heading due east brought us to the lovely town of Kinsale. Known as a "foodie" town, we spent the afternoon walking the narrow streets browsing in various shops. We also laid out our plan of attack for this night's dinner. Unfortunately, our first choice (and the restaurant that was most highly recommended from a number of sources) Fishy Fishy Cafe', was only open from noon to 4:00 PM. We decided to check in to our hotel and then re-strategizing.
A short drive out of town (about 2 miles) brought us to the Carlton Hotel and Spa. A modern hotel with a beautiful view of Oysterhaven Bay and the farm fields beyond, the Carlton offers a full spa, indoor pool and exercise facility. There is also a nice bar and restaurant, both offering tables that look over the stunning landscape.
After checking out the property, we made the short drive back into Kinsale (there is also a shuttle van that will take you back and forth from the hotel into Kinsale). We found our next choice for dinner, Crackpots Ceramic Restaurant on Cork Street. It was hard to find at fist because the entrance was blocked by a lift that was being used by a painter freshening up the front of the establishment. Unfortunately for us, this meant that Crackpots was closed. 0 for 2!
So, based on a recommendation from my cousin Michael, we settled into Jim Edwards place on Short Quay. There is a bar and restaurant and you can't go wrong with either menu. We grabbed a small table in a corner of the bar and ordered off that menu, which is plentiful and a lot cheaper than the restaurant menu (though you can order off that menu in the bar, as well.)
Starting out with a great pint of Guinness (it always taste better over here!), I enjoyed the broiled salmon, while my wife had the baked cod "Mornay" (a great sauce made of white wine and cheese). Our dinners came with mixed vegetables, scalloped potatoes and fries, all served family style. We finished it off with a fantastic piece of banoffi pie and Kinsale lived up to it's reputation.
Tomorrow morning it's back into Kinsale and then off to Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Hello from Ireland
I arrived in Ireland early Friday morning (the day after St. Patrick's Day). After getting my rental car, I quickly became re-acquainted with driving on the left side of the road. After a beautiful drive along the Shannon River, we stopped at a favorite restaurant (Kirby's Brogue Inn in Tarbert, Co. Clare) for the full Irish breakfast---eggs, bacon (ham), various sausage, a broiled tomato and toast.
Afterwards, we headed to Tralee in County Kerry. We visited with my cousin and then settled in for brief nap. We then enjoyed an early dinner at O'Donnell's restaurant in the Mount Hawk section of Tralee. On Saturday, we enjoyed a long visit with another cousin and her family and experienced firsthand Irish hospitality. When you are offered something (food or drink), answering "no" is not an option!
Later that evening, we went to the Siamsa Tire, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, for an amateur production of Michael Collins. This musical production, put on by the Tralee Musical Society, recreates the life story of one of Ireland’s most legendary political figures, Michael Collins. The story begins with Collins’ involvement in the Easter Rising of 1916, questions his controversial involvement with the War of Independence and the signing of the Treaty which subsequently led to the Irish Civil War….and ultimately, Collins death at the age of 31.
This was an extremely well done production that was rewarded with a well deserved standing ovation. The show is directed and produced by a cousin, Oliver Hurley. I am not sure what the plans for the show are, but if it ever tours anywhere near you, I would highly recommend the show!
Sunday began with Mass in the church where my grandparents were married and my Dad was baptized. After a scenic drive around beautiful Kerry Head, we were off to another cousin's house for dinner. Again, hospitality is everywhere when you visit with the Irish and it's always nice to be treated with so well (though the scale might not be too happy when I get back!).
We left Tralee this morning, driving through numerous towns in County Cork and County Waterford, passing through quaint villages and small towns. We saw numerous old churches and ruins of castles and abbeys, etc. I wish we had more time to investigate everything we saw.
We are in Waterford tonight after spending the afternoon touring the Waterford Crystal factory. The tour allows you to get up close with the process of making the world-famous crystal. We saw the craftsmen blowing and molding the glass, then smoothing it, cutting it by hand (from memory) and then doing intricate engraving. It was very impressive and when the tour is over, you have the opportunity to browse a large retail center where you can purchase any number of patterns, both new and archived.
I am staying tonight at the Waterford Marina Hotel, a nice hotel along the River Suir. Check back tomorrow, for more information about my trip.
Afterwards, we headed to Tralee in County Kerry. We visited with my cousin and then settled in for brief nap. We then enjoyed an early dinner at O'Donnell's restaurant in the Mount Hawk section of Tralee. On Saturday, we enjoyed a long visit with another cousin and her family and experienced firsthand Irish hospitality. When you are offered something (food or drink), answering "no" is not an option!
Later that evening, we went to the Siamsa Tire, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, for an amateur production of Michael Collins. This musical production, put on by the Tralee Musical Society, recreates the life story of one of Ireland’s most legendary political figures, Michael Collins. The story begins with Collins’ involvement in the Easter Rising of 1916, questions his controversial involvement with the War of Independence and the signing of the Treaty which subsequently led to the Irish Civil War….and ultimately, Collins death at the age of 31.
This was an extremely well done production that was rewarded with a well deserved standing ovation. The show is directed and produced by a cousin, Oliver Hurley. I am not sure what the plans for the show are, but if it ever tours anywhere near you, I would highly recommend the show!
Sunday began with Mass in the church where my grandparents were married and my Dad was baptized. After a scenic drive around beautiful Kerry Head, we were off to another cousin's house for dinner. Again, hospitality is everywhere when you visit with the Irish and it's always nice to be treated with so well (though the scale might not be too happy when I get back!).
We left Tralee this morning, driving through numerous towns in County Cork and County Waterford, passing through quaint villages and small towns. We saw numerous old churches and ruins of castles and abbeys, etc. I wish we had more time to investigate everything we saw.
We are in Waterford tonight after spending the afternoon touring the Waterford Crystal factory. The tour allows you to get up close with the process of making the world-famous crystal. We saw the craftsmen blowing and molding the glass, then smoothing it, cutting it by hand (from memory) and then doing intricate engraving. It was very impressive and when the tour is over, you have the opportunity to browse a large retail center where you can purchase any number of patterns, both new and archived.
I am staying tonight at the Waterford Marina Hotel, a nice hotel along the River Suir. Check back tomorrow, for more information about my trip.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Off to Ireland
I am heading over to Ireland tomorrow evening for about 10 days. I will try to check in periodically so I can share some pictures and impressions of Ireland with you. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Frequently Asked Questions about Disney World
Over the years I have helped families and couples plan their Disney World vacations and a number of questions have arisen over time. Here are a few of those questions and some (hopefully) helpful answers.
“Is it better to stay within Disney World or stay at an “off-site” property?"
The answer to this question depends on a couple of factors; size of your party, budget and how much you are willing to be inconvenienced by staying off-site. If you have a large family and want to spread out, a local rental property might suit you just fine. There are many rental homes in the area that offer 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a private pool, your own full kitchen and usually, a game room. These homes tend to be a bit cheaper than getting multiple hotel rooms. However, you would then have the added responsibility of driving to and from the parks every day. This makes it difficult to get back to your accommodation should you need to take a break from your daily treks through the parks.
I feel that for the average family of four, staying within Disney World is the best way to go. You have access to Disney’s transportation system (sometimes right outside your door) and the flexibility to get back and forth from your accommodation without a lot of hassle.
"What do we do if it rains during our Disney trip?"
If you are going in the summer, it is invariably going to rain. It usually rains at some point every day. I remember being there in September one year and as the evening wore down, a tremendous downpour started. Luckily, we were already waiting for our bus back to our resort and were under cover. Some of the later arriving bus passengers were not so lucky.
So, I would recommend buying rain ponchos before you get to the park and pack them in a backpack or bag; you can buy them in the parks but they will probably cost double or triple. If it rains, just put them on keep on going! The downside is you won't get to see fireworks or parades due to inclement weather. But, a big plus is that the crowds tend to disappear when it rains, lines are much shorter, and getting into restaurants is much easier.
"What character meal would you recommend for young girls?"
The most popular character meals (and the most expensive) are the meals at Cinderella’s Royal Table, within Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom. It is frequently booked months in advance and difficult to get a reservation. As an alternative, we took our four-year-old granddaughter to the Askerhus Royal Banquet in Epcot for breakfast one morning and she loved it. She got her picture taken with Belle (dressed in her ball gown….which shockingly was included in the price!) when we first went in. During breakfast, which consists of a cold buffet as well as hot breakfast food served family style, each child was visited by each princess; Snow White, Belle, Cinderella and Ariel. She was in heaven. The experience concluded with a parade around the banquet hall led by the princesses, who led the children around the room. For another review, click here.
"What age is the best for a child's first trip to Disney World?"
Disney World offers something for everyone of every age. I am always amazed to see couples visiting Disney with infants, so whatever age your children are, I would consider taking a Disney trip. Again, having spent six days there with a four-year-old was a great experience. With one that young, you don’t feel the need to do everything. You find out which attractions they like and which ones they don’t and you plan accordingly. For example, we went through “It’s a Small World” at least six times. However, with other attractions, we were “one and done”.
We did two things that I felt made our trip extremely enjoyable. The first was renting a stroller. Although our little one hasn’t used a stroller at home for well over a year, it is just too much to expect those little legs to withstand miles and miles of walking every day. So, either bring your own stroller or rent one from Disney.
The second thing we did that proved to be a great idea was to schedule a break every day at midday (or thereabouts). We all went back to our room and relaxed, checked email, swam, etc. while the grandchild rested. After 90 minutes or so, we were all raring to go. It worked out GREAT!
“When is the best time to visit Disney World?”
The best answer to that question is, “Can you stand large crowds?” The busiest times of the year at Disney World are just what you would expect; the summer months, Thanksgiving, Christmas Week, and periods of February, March and April, when schools have Easter and spring breaks. In other words, whenever kids are out of school, attendance at Disney World goes through the roof. This means longer lines, longer waits for restaurants and greater difficulty getting reservations for character dining.
I was just there in mid-November and it was great; weather was great (70’s and 80’s) and lines were short. Some of the bigger attractions had some longer waiting times, but for the most part, it was very relaxed and easy to get around. Late September, October and November (up until Thanksgiving) promise good weather and smaller crowds (though September tends to be warmer and more humid than October and November). Also, if your children go back to school after Labor Day, crowds tend to drop in late August, after Florida schools re-open.
"Do we need to make restaurant reservations at Disney?"
Disney offers pre-paid plans that offer various dining options. That coupled with tens of thousands of daily visitors, makes sit-down restaurants very popular. These restaurants (table service dining in Disney lingo) can be booked 180 days in advance of your vacation. Character dining falls into this category. We were not able to get a reservation at Cinderella’s table two months out, but I made a reservation for the Askerhus Royal Banquet while we were on vacation. So, if you have a favorite restaurant that you just can’t miss out on, call Disney NOW for a reservation!
I hope you learned a little bit more about Disney. It can be a great experience with some planning, patience and a positive approach!
“Is it better to stay within Disney World or stay at an “off-site” property?"
The answer to this question depends on a couple of factors; size of your party, budget and how much you are willing to be inconvenienced by staying off-site. If you have a large family and want to spread out, a local rental property might suit you just fine. There are many rental homes in the area that offer 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a private pool, your own full kitchen and usually, a game room. These homes tend to be a bit cheaper than getting multiple hotel rooms. However, you would then have the added responsibility of driving to and from the parks every day. This makes it difficult to get back to your accommodation should you need to take a break from your daily treks through the parks.
I feel that for the average family of four, staying within Disney World is the best way to go. You have access to Disney’s transportation system (sometimes right outside your door) and the flexibility to get back and forth from your accommodation without a lot of hassle.
"What do we do if it rains during our Disney trip?"
If you are going in the summer, it is invariably going to rain. It usually rains at some point every day. I remember being there in September one year and as the evening wore down, a tremendous downpour started. Luckily, we were already waiting for our bus back to our resort and were under cover. Some of the later arriving bus passengers were not so lucky.
So, I would recommend buying rain ponchos before you get to the park and pack them in a backpack or bag; you can buy them in the parks but they will probably cost double or triple. If it rains, just put them on keep on going! The downside is you won't get to see fireworks or parades due to inclement weather. But, a big plus is that the crowds tend to disappear when it rains, lines are much shorter, and getting into restaurants is much easier.
"What character meal would you recommend for young girls?"
The most popular character meals (and the most expensive) are the meals at Cinderella’s Royal Table, within Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom. It is frequently booked months in advance and difficult to get a reservation. As an alternative, we took our four-year-old granddaughter to the Askerhus Royal Banquet in Epcot for breakfast one morning and she loved it. She got her picture taken with Belle (dressed in her ball gown….which shockingly was included in the price!) when we first went in. During breakfast, which consists of a cold buffet as well as hot breakfast food served family style, each child was visited by each princess; Snow White, Belle, Cinderella and Ariel. She was in heaven. The experience concluded with a parade around the banquet hall led by the princesses, who led the children around the room. For another review, click here.
"What age is the best for a child's first trip to Disney World?"
Disney World offers something for everyone of every age. I am always amazed to see couples visiting Disney with infants, so whatever age your children are, I would consider taking a Disney trip. Again, having spent six days there with a four-year-old was a great experience. With one that young, you don’t feel the need to do everything. You find out which attractions they like and which ones they don’t and you plan accordingly. For example, we went through “It’s a Small World” at least six times. However, with other attractions, we were “one and done”.
We did two things that I felt made our trip extremely enjoyable. The first was renting a stroller. Although our little one hasn’t used a stroller at home for well over a year, it is just too much to expect those little legs to withstand miles and miles of walking every day. So, either bring your own stroller or rent one from Disney.
The second thing we did that proved to be a great idea was to schedule a break every day at midday (or thereabouts). We all went back to our room and relaxed, checked email, swam, etc. while the grandchild rested. After 90 minutes or so, we were all raring to go. It worked out GREAT!
“When is the best time to visit Disney World?”
The best answer to that question is, “Can you stand large crowds?” The busiest times of the year at Disney World are just what you would expect; the summer months, Thanksgiving, Christmas Week, and periods of February, March and April, when schools have Easter and spring breaks. In other words, whenever kids are out of school, attendance at Disney World goes through the roof. This means longer lines, longer waits for restaurants and greater difficulty getting reservations for character dining.
I was just there in mid-November and it was great; weather was great (70’s and 80’s) and lines were short. Some of the bigger attractions had some longer waiting times, but for the most part, it was very relaxed and easy to get around. Late September, October and November (up until Thanksgiving) promise good weather and smaller crowds (though September tends to be warmer and more humid than October and November). Also, if your children go back to school after Labor Day, crowds tend to drop in late August, after Florida schools re-open.
"Do we need to make restaurant reservations at Disney?"
Disney offers pre-paid plans that offer various dining options. That coupled with tens of thousands of daily visitors, makes sit-down restaurants very popular. These restaurants (table service dining in Disney lingo) can be booked 180 days in advance of your vacation. Character dining falls into this category. We were not able to get a reservation at Cinderella’s table two months out, but I made a reservation for the Askerhus Royal Banquet while we were on vacation. So, if you have a favorite restaurant that you just can’t miss out on, call Disney NOW for a reservation!
I hope you learned a little bit more about Disney. It can be a great experience with some planning, patience and a positive approach!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Airfares on the Rise!!
If you've bought an airline ticket lately, you already know – airfares continue to rise. In fact, so far this year there have been five broad-based airfare hikes. In all of 2010, there were just four! This year is shaping up to mirror 2007 into early 2008 when oil prices jumped over $90 per barrel. There is one difference today, though: airlines also have bag fees and widespread "peak travel day" surcharges that add to passenger ticket totals.
Prices on average, cheapest roundtrip airfare (including taxes and fees) between top U.S. cities is around $318, compared to $319 in July of ’08. If you think it's bad on flights in the U.S., take a look at trans-Atlantic travel. Some long-haul flights are as expensive as they've been in a decade. For example, we have fuel surcharges to Europe right now averaging $360 roundtrip, not to mention the taxes on those flights that average another $120. Bottom line: you'll pay $480 for a trip to Europe before adding in any of the actual airfare! I can vouch for this…..I just paid $769.00 for a roundtrip ticket from Newark to Shannon, Ireland. The airfare was $399, with an additional $370.00 in taxes and fees!
So, what's going to happen? The airlines will see how much you are willing to pay, and that means more airfare hikes are on the way. If the planes stay full, the hikes will continue until enough passengers decide to stay home and not travel. That'll drop prices in a hurry.
So what does this mean for you? Be smart. Here are some do's and don'ts for airfare shopping:
• Don't be tempted to buy too early. In 2008, when airfare prices seemed to rise on a daily basis, people bought airline tickets for Thanksgiving in the summer to lock in prices, then were stunned when oil crashed and last minute holiday shoppers got incredible bargains. So shop early, but not too early: expect airfare for June travel to drop by mid-March.
• Be as flexible as possible. Of course, that's not always possible. Unless of course, your cousin in Chicago is willing to change her wedding date to accommodate your cheaper airfare.
• When flexibility is not an option, try this: shop Tuesday afternoons to find the cheapest flights.
If you can be flexible, even in little ways, you can save more. Ask yourself these questions:
• Are you willing to fly domestic red-eyes and sacrifice sleep?
• Are you OK with connecting flights?
• Can you fly to Europe before school lets out in May or early June?
• Can you travel for two weeks with just a carry on bag?
• Can you vacation in late August, early September or even after Labor Day?
• Finally, can you pack up and go at a moment's notice?
If the answer to any or all of these questions is yes, ask your travel agent to keep you informed of the best deals he can find. Remember this: don't wait for the same airfare prices you paid last year; you will pay more this summer. Simply look for the best of the "not-so-great deals".
Prices on average, cheapest roundtrip airfare (including taxes and fees) between top U.S. cities is around $318, compared to $319 in July of ’08. If you think it's bad on flights in the U.S., take a look at trans-Atlantic travel. Some long-haul flights are as expensive as they've been in a decade. For example, we have fuel surcharges to Europe right now averaging $360 roundtrip, not to mention the taxes on those flights that average another $120. Bottom line: you'll pay $480 for a trip to Europe before adding in any of the actual airfare! I can vouch for this…..I just paid $769.00 for a roundtrip ticket from Newark to Shannon, Ireland. The airfare was $399, with an additional $370.00 in taxes and fees!
So, what's going to happen? The airlines will see how much you are willing to pay, and that means more airfare hikes are on the way. If the planes stay full, the hikes will continue until enough passengers decide to stay home and not travel. That'll drop prices in a hurry.
So what does this mean for you? Be smart. Here are some do's and don'ts for airfare shopping:
• Don't be tempted to buy too early. In 2008, when airfare prices seemed to rise on a daily basis, people bought airline tickets for Thanksgiving in the summer to lock in prices, then were stunned when oil crashed and last minute holiday shoppers got incredible bargains. So shop early, but not too early: expect airfare for June travel to drop by mid-March.
• Be as flexible as possible. Of course, that's not always possible. Unless of course, your cousin in Chicago is willing to change her wedding date to accommodate your cheaper airfare.
• When flexibility is not an option, try this: shop Tuesday afternoons to find the cheapest flights.
If you can be flexible, even in little ways, you can save more. Ask yourself these questions:
• Are you willing to fly domestic red-eyes and sacrifice sleep?
• Are you OK with connecting flights?
• Can you fly to Europe before school lets out in May or early June?
• Can you travel for two weeks with just a carry on bag?
• Can you vacation in late August, early September or even after Labor Day?
• Finally, can you pack up and go at a moment's notice?
If the answer to any or all of these questions is yes, ask your travel agent to keep you informed of the best deals he can find. Remember this: don't wait for the same airfare prices you paid last year; you will pay more this summer. Simply look for the best of the "not-so-great deals".
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Balancing Your Workload with a Generous Number of Mini-Vacations for Maximum Productivity
We've always heard that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Now, here are some words of wisdom from the Wendling Group encouraging us all to take as many vacations as we can!
Balance Your Workload with a Generous Number of Mini-Vacations for Maximum Productivity
by Denis Waitley
By re-energizing and renewing yourself frequently, you will avoid burnout and become much more motivated and productive. Don't keep your nose to the grindstone for years and wait for retirement to travel. Balance and consistency are the keys. Enjoy the process, not just the result. Don't fight the passing of time. Don't fear it, squander it, or try to hide from it under a superficial cosmetic veil of fads and indulgences. Life and time go together. Do enjoy each phase of life. Do make the most of each day, and draw maximum joy from each moment.
Many people today are concerned with quality time - time generally defined in part as that spent on recreation, personal pursuits, time with children, spouses and friends. While I certainly believe quality time is important, I believe two other aspects of time are equally important.
First, one must also spend quantity time. The average father spends less than 30 minutes each week in direct one-on-one communication with each of his children. How can we possibly expect good family relationships with so little communication?
Second, one must spend regular time. Many supervisors and company presidents go for weeks, even months, without seeing many of their employees. There's no substitute for regular meetings and open forums in which managers and team members can share ideas.
Time has a dual structure. On one hand, we live our daily routines meeting present contingencies as they arise. On the other hand, our most ambitious goals and desires need time so that they can be assembled and cemented. A long-term goal connects pieces of time into one block. These blocks can be imagined and projected into the future as we do when we set goals for ourselves. Or, these blocks of time can be created in retrospect as we do when we look back at what we've accomplished.
It's not in the image of our big dreams that we run the risk of losing our focus and motivation. It's the drudgery and routine of our daily lives that present the greatest danger to our hopes for achievement. Good time management means that you maximize the daily return on the energy and mental effort you expend.
Ways to maximize your time productivity:
Write down in one place all the important contacts you have and all of your goals and priorities. Make a back up copy, preferably on CD, DVD or Zip disc. Write down every commitment you make at the time you make it.
Stop wasting the first hour of your workday. Having the chat and first cup of coffee, reading the paper, and socializing are the three costliest opening exercises that lower productivity.
Do one thing well at a time. It takes time to start and stop work on each activity. Stay with a task until it is completed.
Don't open unimportant mail. More than a fourth of the mail you receive can be tossed before you open or read it, and that includes e-mail.
Handle each piece of paper only once and never more than twice. Don't set aside anything without taking action. Carry work, reading material, audiotapes and your laptop computer with you everywhere you go. Convert down time into uplink time.
Spend twenty minutes at the beginning of each week and ten minutes at the beginning of each day planning your to do list.
Set aside personal relaxation time during the day. Don't work during lunch. It's neither noble nor nutritional to skip important energy input and stress-relieving time. Throughout the day, ask yourself, "What's the best use of my time right now?" As the day grows short, focus on projects you can least afford to leave undone.
And as we said at the beginning of this message, take vacations often, mini-vacations of two or three days, and leave your work at home. The harder you work, the more you need to balance your exercise and leisure time.
Action Idea: Plan a relaxing 3-day vacation within the next three months without taking any business work with you. Reserve it on your calendar this week.
Call Hurley World Travel at (410) 588-6938 and get a vacation on your calendar TODAY!
Balance Your Workload with a Generous Number of Mini-Vacations for Maximum Productivity
by Denis Waitley
By re-energizing and renewing yourself frequently, you will avoid burnout and become much more motivated and productive. Don't keep your nose to the grindstone for years and wait for retirement to travel. Balance and consistency are the keys. Enjoy the process, not just the result. Don't fight the passing of time. Don't fear it, squander it, or try to hide from it under a superficial cosmetic veil of fads and indulgences. Life and time go together. Do enjoy each phase of life. Do make the most of each day, and draw maximum joy from each moment.
Many people today are concerned with quality time - time generally defined in part as that spent on recreation, personal pursuits, time with children, spouses and friends. While I certainly believe quality time is important, I believe two other aspects of time are equally important.
First, one must also spend quantity time. The average father spends less than 30 minutes each week in direct one-on-one communication with each of his children. How can we possibly expect good family relationships with so little communication?
Second, one must spend regular time. Many supervisors and company presidents go for weeks, even months, without seeing many of their employees. There's no substitute for regular meetings and open forums in which managers and team members can share ideas.
Time has a dual structure. On one hand, we live our daily routines meeting present contingencies as they arise. On the other hand, our most ambitious goals and desires need time so that they can be assembled and cemented. A long-term goal connects pieces of time into one block. These blocks can be imagined and projected into the future as we do when we set goals for ourselves. Or, these blocks of time can be created in retrospect as we do when we look back at what we've accomplished.
It's not in the image of our big dreams that we run the risk of losing our focus and motivation. It's the drudgery and routine of our daily lives that present the greatest danger to our hopes for achievement. Good time management means that you maximize the daily return on the energy and mental effort you expend.
Ways to maximize your time productivity:
Write down in one place all the important contacts you have and all of your goals and priorities. Make a back up copy, preferably on CD, DVD or Zip disc. Write down every commitment you make at the time you make it.
Stop wasting the first hour of your workday. Having the chat and first cup of coffee, reading the paper, and socializing are the three costliest opening exercises that lower productivity.
Do one thing well at a time. It takes time to start and stop work on each activity. Stay with a task until it is completed.
Don't open unimportant mail. More than a fourth of the mail you receive can be tossed before you open or read it, and that includes e-mail.
Handle each piece of paper only once and never more than twice. Don't set aside anything without taking action. Carry work, reading material, audiotapes and your laptop computer with you everywhere you go. Convert down time into uplink time.
Spend twenty minutes at the beginning of each week and ten minutes at the beginning of each day planning your to do list.
Set aside personal relaxation time during the day. Don't work during lunch. It's neither noble nor nutritional to skip important energy input and stress-relieving time. Throughout the day, ask yourself, "What's the best use of my time right now?" As the day grows short, focus on projects you can least afford to leave undone.
And as we said at the beginning of this message, take vacations often, mini-vacations of two or three days, and leave your work at home. The harder you work, the more you need to balance your exercise and leisure time.
Action Idea: Plan a relaxing 3-day vacation within the next three months without taking any business work with you. Reserve it on your calendar this week.
Call Hurley World Travel at (410) 588-6938 and get a vacation on your calendar TODAY!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Ireland's Glorious West Coast
Travelers to the West of Ireland find it an easy area to drive and cover, with so much of its beauty and attractiveness right outside the windshield in the countryside. From the rugged western coastline to green stone-walled pastures, the vistas are certainly a big part of the journey. But you can also sleep in ancient castles or spend the night in luxury modern spa hotels. You can visit ancient ruins and stone cairns of unknown origin. Whatever your mode of travel, West Ireland will put some magic into your visit to the Emerald Isle.The West Coast region includes some part of the following counties: Sligo, Leitrim, Galway, Mayo, Donegal, Southwest Offaly, Tipperary North, West Cork, Cork City, Kerry, Clare and Limerick.
The West Coast of Ireland is the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) region. In some areas all street signs are in "the Irish". The Gaeltact is spoken over a wide area of West Ireland, especially Kerry, Cork, Mayo, Galway and Donegal and much of the local music, both traditional and modern, is in the native Irish.
Visit on the cheap - competitive airfares, bed and breakfasts, trains, ferries and self drives!
From North America, fly into either Dublin or Shannon for West Ireland. It's easy to get around the country!
From North America, fly into either Dublin or Shannon for West Ireland. It's easy to get around the country!
St. Patrick's "Day" lasts a week in Ireland and their's no shortage of festivals at other times like the Puck Festival or the Rose of Tralee Festival!
Fishing in western Ireland is hard to beat and a favorite outdoor sport of many travelers.
Self-drive vacations are easy...but remember to drive on the left and watchout for round-abouts and, in the rural areas, sheep!
Self-drive vacations are easy...but remember to drive on the left and watchout for round-abouts and, in the rural areas, sheep!
If either hiking or biking is a favorite pastime, west Ireland boasts hundreds of miles of great countryside and spectacular coastline, including the Cliffs of Moher, just south of the Village of Doolin in County Clare, one of the most photographed locations on the planet.
Some of the best golf in the world can be found in the West of Ireland; Lahinch, Doonbeg, Carne, Ballybunion, Tralee just to name a few.
The megaliths of Carrowmore, about 3 miles south-west of Sligo town, are located in the center of the Cúil Irra peninsula and are one of the oldest and largest collections of stone age monuments in Western Europe.
Churches and ancient castles dot the landscape like a great outdoor museum. Our favorites? Roscrea Castle, as well as the ruined "Abbey" of Roscommon. Be sure to see Ballyhannan Castle overlooking the River Shannon as well and the chance to spend the night at Dromoland Castle.
Of course, you can't leave out the Blarney Castle.
Are you ready to plan your West Coast of Ireland Getaway? Contact Hurley World Travel to get started.
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