I have a secret that I want to share with you. I took a day off from work last week. That's right. I ran some errands, went to a matinee, and didn't feel one ounce of guilt. Nor did my business fall apart.

In fact, appointments were confirmed in my absence, I signed a contract for my new book, “Evergreen Talent,” and people still reached out to me about speaking at their next corporate event.

I coach senior leaders, who seem to mistakenly believe their departments will fall apart in their absence.

In my 20-plus years of coaching, I've never seen a leader lose her job because she took a day off. In fact, many of my clients have been promoted as a result of stepping back and letting team members excel.

Here's my advice to those of you who are unable to give yourself permission to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Buy yourself a ticket to a matinee performance at the theater.

If you've gone to the theater lately, you know how pricey tickets can be, which is exactly why I'm recommending you buy a theater ticket and not just a movie ticket.

When you pay good money, you are less apt to blow off the event the day of the show. And if you can, buy a ticket for a friend, who will ensure you actually show up.

Envision your life three years from now.

Do you really think you'll be talking about that meeting you attended on Sept. 10, 2018, three years from now? Probably not.

But you may still be talking about the time you and your friend spent time together hiking, while everyone else was at work. Get the point here?

Figure out why you can't let go for a day.

OK, if things are really that bad at work and you can't slip away for even a day, then consider why.

Do you have people on your team who aren't performing their jobs? Are you agreeing to projects that you should be saying no to? Are you working overtime to keep a job that you don't even want anymore?

A day away will do wonders for you and provide you with perspective. Do yourself and everyone else a favor. Take it!