I can’t remember the last time I took a holiday.
So this weekend I went away and it was really, really nice.

Kyushu is a beautiful place and we had some of the most amazing Japanese food, I’ll have a video for you soon. Most of all it was just in the mountains, peaceful and relaxing. That’s something I’ve never until now ever thought I needed. And for the first time in a very long time I didn’t even want to check my email. Then we finished off with a wonderful champagne party last night.

To be honest I was feeling a bit burnt out last week (which you might have noticed with the lack of blog posts.) Trying to balance writing all the new music with also having to run a business really messes with both halves of your brain.

I would love to be able to sit in Starbucks all day every day writing songs, but there’s so much behind the scenes work that needs to be done to keep Genki English going. Plus having to motivate others all the time often leaves me little time for others to motivate me. Of course who you go with makes a huge difference, so thank you. I really appreciated even just a two day holiday this weekend.

So that’s my advice for the Summer, take a holiday…

Richard Graham

I'm on a mission to make education Genkiβ€”fun, exciting, and full of life! Genki English has now been researched by Harvard University and licensed by the British Council around the world. The results have been magical! Now I'm here to help you teach amazing lessons, with all the materials prepared for you, and to double your teaching income so you can sustainably help many more students in the future!

10 Responses to “Take a Holiday”

  1. June

    Richard!
    I’m really glad you had such a nice holiday!
    Looking at your location free blog, it seemed you were having a great holiday while going to exotic places and foreign places but that wasn’t a holiday for you! It was your work!!!
    It must be difficult to take a holiday with a location free business, isn’t it!?
    I hope you’re refreshed in every way and that you’ve realized that even you should take a holiday sometime!!
    Take it easy, Richard!! Recharge that Genki power!!

  2. Carol

    Everyone needs a break, how can you recharge when the batteries are spent? Glad to hear you had a great time. The picture is gorgeous!

    If you need some inspiration, I found something you’ll appreciate since your two biggest genki rules are ‘I can do it’ and ‘try again’. This takes on a huge meaning with this Australian man, Nick Vujicic. Have you heard of him? After seeing this, it makes people grateful for what they have and that nothing is really impossible.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQPmY4nIjVE

  3. Kobe Kid

    gokurosan! sometimes you need to get away, even the super genki…

  4. Val

    A refreshing bath for your soul and mind!
    Well done Richard!
    Did u see how weird it is to finally let yourself go without any internet and so it the old fashion?
    Now we have a refurbished Richard!

  5. Julian

    “A two day holiday” – you sound so Japanese! With all that time on your hands, you could have popped over for a round-Europe trip!

    I’m a great believer in re-charging my genki-batteries with a holiday, so I’m glad you were able to get away from it all for a bit. We all need to from time to time.

    I’ll look forward to seeing the video…..though as I’ve not had a proper break myself in a while, it may be too painful to watch!

  6. joy K.

    Hi Richard,
    I never thought of the word “burnt out” upon reading your blog about the Okayama thing or perhaps I wasn’t there so I hardly couldn’t feel the real pain dismay and disappointments.I hope you are now in the great shape after 2-day holiday that was really nice of you getting-out from genki matters.Please maintain a positive attitude no matter what may come. There must be something bettter waiting out there. The thing to do is to keep going. We cannot take-back the words that one day has angrily spoken. Forgive and forget. Keep up the goodworks.

  7. Margit

    Richard,
    great you had a good time; I think how long one takes off doesn’t really matter. It may sound Japanese, but 1 day can relax a full weeks worth if one enjoys it the right way.
    I just went to Germany for 3 days there 2 on the plane. It wasn’t for fun,for to relax, but it’s amazing how long it felt and how much I got out of it. I think I haven’t had this much communication with all of my family during all my long term stays.

    By the way, I’m really looking for some fun, relaxing and cheap place to go here in Japan with my kids for a couple of days.
    Does anybody have some secret tips?

    Right now I’m thinking about Shikoku (or the islands around), but as I want to see everything it’s really hard to make plans.
    And it doesn’t need to be Shikoku, if there are other good ideas. I’m determined to go somewhere.

    Sorry for this weird question, as far as I know you haven’t started a travel business so far. Still, it’s the time to think about a Holiday for many teachers now, and this post is perfect to ask a question like this.
    Would be happy to get some replies.

  8. richard

    “as far as I know you haven’t started a travel business so far”

    Err…you might be psychic , that’s just where I was this morning! Details coming soon!

    Shikoku’s really great for adults (driving round by car over the bridges etc.) but I’m not sure there’d be enough to keep kids occupied!

  9. Yumiko

    Margit, I don’t know if this place attracts your family. But here is a link to Shiraishi jima International Villa. You can enjoy traditional Japanese atmosphere there, that’s what NHK reporter said the other day.

    http://www.harenet.ne.jp/villa/villa/shira.htm
    http://www.harenet.ne.jp/villa/inf/shiraishi0904.pdf

    We gave up traveling in Japan this summer and decided to go to Korea. It’s going to be our first trip abroad. I googled a lot, and finally finished booking everything yesterday.
    From Okayama, it’s cheaper than taking a trip to Kyushu. But Richard’s picture of Kyushu attracts me a lot , because I originally wanted to go to Ufuin, Kyushu this summer.

    Good luck, and enjoy your summer holiday!!

    Richard, you stir my curiosity!

  10. Margit

    YUMIKO,

    thank for that hint. The villages are really cheap and look good. Have you been there?
    There are so many places all around the country I would love to go to,
    but yes, in many cases it’s so much cheaper to go abroad.
    I hope you are going to have a nice time in Korea.

    If I decide to go to that Island, I’ll let you know how it was.

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