USTA: Project Time Off Forum, NYC

Earlier this summer I was a featured guest on a Twitter chat run by National Geographic Traveler and The United States Travel Association.

The chat discussed the importance of taking time off (a day, a week, a year) to create a life that is more fulfilling. It’s a message I’ve long supported on this blog and beyond. If you haven’t figured it out yet (Are you new here? ;) ) I’m a passionate believer in the power of travel, time and family to transform lives.

The Association then asked if I’d be interested in sharing my story with a small group of industry insiders at the Project Time Off Forum in New York City. I said “Yes.”

The result?

Last week I took to the stage along with several incredible speakers who all spoke about the importance that taking time off had had on their lives or the lives of those around them.

©Jenna Bascom Photography

From Randi Zuckerberg’s candid conversation about the realization that technology has to be tamed to Arianna Huffington’s description of her fall (literally, in her kitchen breaking her cheekbone) and awakening to the realization that a lack of sleep doesn’t make you a hero.

There were the statistical offerings from speakers like Bruce Elliott from the Society for Human Resource Management and Katie Denis, Senior Director of Project Time Off and even the corporate learnings (and actions) being taken by companies like Mastercard.

I shared stories from our trips over the years and the effects they have had on our personal and professional lives. I talked about the steps that led us to the conclusion that time was more valuable than money and the real-life implications of having to live on less. (Hint: My mortgage is bigger than your mortgage.)

It was an incredible day of sharing and chatting with people who share my passion for encouraging people to live fuller lives and a fantastic validation of some of the things I’ve grown to believe in:

Family matters. Time matters. Passion matters.

During my speech I shared a YouTube video that I’ve pointed to from my site for almost two years now. It speaks to the importance of stepping off the well worn path to find the things that bring you happiness. It really seemed to resonate with a lot of people so I’ll share it again here.