9 Lessons I Learned In Jamaica

Rachel and I spent seven awesome days in Jamaica for our honey moon. A week of white sandy beaches, beautiful sunsets, gourmet food, and friendly people.

We relaxed, we swam in the ocean, and we enjoyed the luxuries of an all-inclusive resort. I couldn’t ask for a better place to spend a restful week with my wife.

It’s hard not to enjoy that beach

I am a firm believer that no matter what happens or where you go, there is always something you are suppose to learn – yes, even while on vacation. Below are 9 lessons I learned while on my honey moon in Jamaica.

Lesson #1: Service is everything

I’ve never been repri­manded by a bell boy before. I had so many questions as he lead us to our room. Half way through he set down the bags and said, “It’s all about you, man. Anything you want, you get. No Problem!”

He was right.

I got every­thing I wanted any time I asked. The service was like nothing I had ever seen. The room was perfect, the staff friendly, and every request was handled quickly with a smile.

I’ll recommend this resort to everyone I know. I trust Couples Negril with my recom­men­da­tion because I know the staff will go above and beyond for anyone who steps foot on their property.

That’s a lesson we should all learn.

Service is every­thing. Go above and beyond what the customer expects. If you do this consis­tently, Whether it is a job for a client or a favor for a friend, you will get more work than you can handle. It’s important not only to meet expec­ta­tions, but exceed them. Its how a repu­ta­tion is built. Its how word of mouth works. It’s the only way to live.

Lesson #2: Take A Break 

Jamaica is always this beautiful

I work hard. I get a lot done every week; but I also burn out — regularly.

Sometimes I lose creativity; sometimes I lose energy; most of the time I lose both.

What Jamaica taught me is how desper­ately I need a break. Relaxing on the beach for seven days was my first “do nothing” vacation.

The results are dramatic. I have more energy, I enjoyed Easter more than I’ve enjoyed any holiday in years, and my stress level has plummeted.

Spend an entire day doing something different from what you normally do. Twice a year go on a vacation that doesn’t include a cell phone or an internet connec­tion. Get away from every­thing. It will give you renewed energy and a fresh perspective.

Lesson #3: “No Problem”

The staff answered every question the same: “No problem!”

Even the beach vendors went out of their way to get whatever I wanted.

The lesson here is a bit of a stretch. When problems arise, the first response should be, “no problem.” In the past, for me, it has been, “Oh crap, how am I going to fix this?”

My old method gave me an ulcer; the new method prepares me for an answer.

Learn a lesson from the Jamaicans: when issues come up remember it is “no problem”.

Lesson #4: Home Is Where You Make It 

Home is next to her

There are only two cities in Jamaica. Most of the islanders live in villages. As we drove to and from the resort I saw villages every­where. I was amazed at how small the houses were.

These aren’t suburban homes; they are tiny shacks — most were smaller than my bedroom.

Some didn’t have ceilings, or windows, or much of anything.

And yet every­where I went the people were smiling. Everyone dressed nice, they had cell phones, and the kids were playing soccer or swimming. It looked like a fun place to live.

It is true what they say: home is where you make it. Their tiny shacks are homes just as much as my apartment is.

The lesson is a reminder: No matter where I end up, home is where I am; not what I have.

Lesson #5: Even On Vacation, You Need A Break

Thursday was spent in the hotel room. Mostly we watched TV, a few times we paused to order room service or play a game.

It may sound odd to hear someone who spent thousands of dollars to be in Jamaica wasting a whole day in their hotel room. But it taught me a lesson I never knew I needed

Even on vacation, I need to take a break. By Thursday Rachel and I were exhausted. We did all there was to do and hadn’t slept well. What we really needed was a break from the beach.

That day refreshed us when we were getting tired of the resort.

In the same way, I realize I need a break from life. Once a month or once a week (when possible) it’s vitally important to shut down and recharge. Watch some TV, mess around on YouTube, read a good book, do something that requires no energy.

Lesson #6: Everyone Has a story…even drug dealers

On the first night we went for a walk on the beach. As soon as we stepped off the resort property a nice looking Jamaican man walked up beside us. I asked him where he lived and he smiled brightly as he told me he had lived his entire life a few miles from the beach. He went on to tell me about growing up on the island.

Then he lowered his voice and asked, “Do you smoke?” He wasn’t talking Cigars.

I laughed and told him no.

“What about her?”

“Her neither.”

Then he moved on. What it taught me is everyone has a story. Maybe he lied about growing up in Jamaica. Most likely he didn’t; there was no reason for him to lie. He is a drug dealer, but he is also a person with a story. It’s a lesson I hope to remember forever.

The view from our room

Lesson #7: Nice People Lie

On our third day we walked to a bazaar where beach vendors were hawking random souvenirs. Probably the nicest of the group was a guy selling bracelets. He told us, “I will give you a good price, ten dollars!” and he smiled as he tried to get us to try them on.

He really hammered home that he had strung the bracelets together himself. He said, “All I do is string bracelets together.

Unfor­tu­nately for him I have seen that jewelry before in Wal-Mart…for two bucks.

Is there any chance he paid more for that bracelet? Maybe. Most likely he bought it all from some big store and then sells it to tourists.

But did he make them? No.

The man was nice – very nice – and I enjoyed talking to him. But he lied to my face.

The lesson: Nice people lie. It’s a lesson we’ve all learned before, but it is good to be reminded of difficult lessons.

Lesson #8: Use Their Name

All the employees of the resort had name tags. One of the things Rachel likes doing is using names, so every time she wanted a drink from the bar or needed to ask an employee something, she used their name.

The response surprised me.

Every time the employee would smile. Men and women; young and old; all smiled when she used their name. The service was also faster. Not that the service was ever bad, but when she used their name it always got a little bit better.

It taught me the impor­tance of using a name. Everyone loves the sound of their name. When dealing with customers, employees, bosses, or just a stranger – remember their name. Use it often. They will like you more.

Lesson #9: Every­where is ‘normal’ if you stay long enough.

Our first night in Jamaica was awe inspiring! The sun was setting, the water sparkled, and the archi­tec­ture was new.

But on our last day I didn’t see that anymore. The air was humid, the sun hot, and the waitress slow.

In a week Jamaica went from breath taking to normal.

This isn’t a surprise. In New York thousands walk Time Square without noticing its beauty. In France they drive around the Arc De Triomphe on their way to work.

No matter where you decide to live even­tu­ally the beauty, the newness, and the excite­ment all become normal.

The lesson is to enjoy where I am and remember that normal is a state of mind.

What lessons have vacations taught you? Let me know in the comments.