It's that time of year again. The seven day stretch of time that I attempt to shut off my cell phone, stop checking email, and let my backup handle my clients' immediate needs. Theoretically I should be looking forward to this time with blisssful anticipation. In practice I become a a raving lunatic. If you've ever watched the show "Intervention" I'm kind of like the addict right ater the intervention who keeps making up all the excuses as to why she can't go to rehab - you know, truly pathetic ones like who will take care of her dog.The best part of my insanity is that I take it out completely on those closest to me, which the totally appreciate. Case in point, I have barely seen my children for the last two weeks as I try desperately to pack in every single second of work time possible. And this won't stop until they drag me to the airplane kicking and screaming. No joke. Last week I booked a prospect meeting scheduled to take place from 1-4pm the day my family and I leave on a red-eye at 11pm. Not too bad you're thinking, right? The prospect is three hours away. Did you do the math? So basically I pitch, drive like hell for three hours, pit stop at home to change out of a suit and into plane clothes, then hop in the car to get to the airport. Pathetic, right?I saw a friend of mine this week who told me she indulges in the same freaky behavior right before her vacations. She was so bad one year that when she sat down in her seat on the plane she burst into tears. She's now officially my hero.Things don't get too much better when I get to where I am going. A couple of summers ago I was in California with one of my friends whose sons were in surf camp. Dropping them off one morning the owner of the school - think grown up hippy surfer dude - struck up a conversation with us - think tightly wound desperate housewives. He mentioned he had studied with the same Maharishi who had taught meditation to the Beach Boys and the Beatles. He bet us that he could have us in a deep meditative state within twenty minutes. While I stared back in horror at such a heretical suggestion my friend said: "Can't do it. Relaxing makes me too uptight." Bam! She hit the nail on the head!So wish me luck as I try yet again to reach a semi-relaxed state in seven days of vacation. If you have any recommendations for ways to reach a zen state, please share. For as you can see I need all the help I can get!If you like my blog you'll love my book. Buy The Working Mommy's Manual on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Working-Mommys-Manual-Nicole-Corning/dp/0615637418/ref=cm_sw_em_r_dp_6ZRcqb0QFT7P8_tt