Today’s workplace requires a tremendous amount of mental and emotional stamina. Stress related disorders are on the rise. More than ever, people need the re-energizing effects that vacations can offer. Too many do not take time off: one person boasted that he hadn’t taken a vacation in four years, as if it were a badge of honor!
Here are some strategies to prepare for and get the most from your well-earned vacation:
Make yourself a priority. Don’t let this summer go by without scheduling some personal and/or family time to take a break from the demands of your job and the workplace. If a week or two is impossible to take, perhaps you can consider a series of long weekends instead.
Think about the kind of vacation that is most relaxing for you. This may take some negotiating with family members. If you like camping in the woods and your spouse prefers a luxurious cruise, you may need to alternate your vacations so that both partners get a satisfying form of time off.
Some say that there is a high price to pay to go on vacation, with all there is to do to prepare to go, then coming back to what has accumulated while you were gone. Strategy: prioritize ahead of time what absolutely needs to be done by you before you leave, what can wait until your return, and what you can delegate or ask your co-workers to help with.
Get out of the mindset that you have to do it all yourself. Leave clear instructions and trust that other people are competent to cover for you in the short term.
Make sure that your voicemail and email messages state that you are on vacation, and designate alternate contacts for assistance. If there is something pressing, people will go wherever they need to to get their issue resolved. You might be amazed that people will be able to figure out how to resolve problems on their own if you are not around! This can be a learning/growing experience for both of you.
If you must make yourself available for emergencies while you are gone, do so in a way that you control. For instance, instead of leaving your cell phone on the whole time, make arrangements to call in to the office or check email once at a certain time each day. This way you will not be “on call” the whole time that you are on vacation.
Don’t waste precious vacation time worrying about the work that will be waiting for you when you get back to the office. It will be there whether you think about it or not! So while you are on vacation, be present and immerse yourself into the experience. If you become aware of your mind wandering into worry or anticipation mode, catch yourself and re-focus. Don’t cheat yourself by being someplace special but mentally being back at the office!
Vacations are a wonderful opportunity to gain perspective and re-energize. When you have worked so hard the rest of the year, you need and deserve time off to relax, recover, and rejuvenate. Once this is honored, you will find greater energy, productivity and creativity upon your return.
