That PTO life: Gimme a break
We’re all about inspiration because we know how important it is with the work we do. We’re constantly looking for ways to spur on creativity and get ourselves thinking beyond the predictable for our clients. But what happens when we get tired? When we slow down? When brainstorming seems like a chore instead of a chance to rally around great ideas? When life throws a curve ball?
As we near the end of the year, we look forward to the holidays because with them comes the opportunity to unwind, relax and spend quality time with friends and family. But, the holidays aren’t the only time we need this kind of refreshment. So how do we conquer this in the busiest of times—when a holiday isn’t conveniently timed? The simple answer is to step away, whether literally or metaphorically. To relax. To unwind. To quiet the mind. But how?
Since its infancy, Black Sheep has worshiped at the altar of PTO and it’s serious. As a heart attack. Sacred as F$%^. A money-where-your-mouth is, unlimited PTO policy kind of thing.
As you probably know, we’re an impact-driven agency. And when you work in the impact business, every investment in your agency is an investment that could be made to benefit the communities our clients serve. So, we’ve got a huge responsibility to return on that investment—to accelerate every client’s impact well beyond the investment they’ve made in hiring us. Because of that, we come in early. We work late. We band together to get projects done—planned and delivered beyond expectations, no matter what it takes. And every week we ride the collaboration train to Champagne Fridaytown. But when we’re at our wit’s end and break into the champagne on, let’s say, Wednesday, PTO can be the eject button we need to make sure we don’t go more gaga than lady.
And when we take that sweet, sweet PTO—when we remove ourselves from the chaotic normalcy, from our daily routine, from the work we love—we are reborn. We are baptized in the light of a new place to drink our coffee, to explore a new menu, to put our phones down and to be present. Because when it comes down to it, we work hard and when we aren’t working, we’re living hard.
When we take PTO, you can catch us strewn across the United States, more often than not, in search of nature. We retreat to the quiet serenity of a treestand in the Hill Country. We pay homage to our National Parks. We stare down the Presidential mountain range in New England. We hike the Columbia River Gorge. We fly fish down the Yellowstone River. We #optoutside (or maybe we march on Washington.)
And when we do, we come back to the office with fresh, new perspectives. We’re always willing to work as hard as the day is long and we LOVE what we do—we’re lucky in that sense—but everyone needs time away. And with the holidays right around the corner, we suggest you give yourself a little gift and take some for yourself.