Ready for Vacation? 4 Steps to Actually Enjoy It and Return Recharged
Are you excited for vacation, but already dreading what will pile up while you're gone? You’re not alone. Many leaders look forward to time away but feel burdened by what awaits them when they return. A little planning can make a big difference. These four steps can help you actually enjoy your vacation, and come back more refreshed, not more stressed.
Place Someone Else in Charge
One of the best ways to ensure you can enjoy your time away from your work setting is to have a person or people you can leave in charge. Set up delegates for any important calls or meetings. Prepare them for the discussions, so they feel able and empowered to contribute, not just attend. This is also a great development opportunity for your high potential team members. Let others outside your immediate team know who will cover in your absence and that this person has full authority to make decisions. This clarity helps reduce hesitation and keeps the work moving forward.
Schedule Time Before You Leave
Block time on the day before you leave for vacation. Schedule time at the end of the day to clean out open items and tasks that are lingering so you can bring closure to them. It will feel good to leave with a clean slate. It is not necessary to complete everything before you go; it is OK to plan for things when you get back, as long as they are accounted for. I set a goal for having my email inbox empty and move some items into follow-up folders for when I get back.
Notify Others
Let others know you’ll be away and whom they can contact. You don’t need to brag about going on vacation, but there is value in letting others know ahead of time.
It is fun to share your enthusiasm for your trip.
It also helps to build the anticipation you feel and the positives that come with that.
It gives others the option to schedule around your time off, get your feedback early, or discuss who will attend in your place.
A short conversation can ensure that no ground gets lost on a project timeline and any needed input is captured ahead of time. And don’t forget to set your ‘out of office’ message and direct others to those you’re leaving in charge.
Set Your Own Boundaries
Choose how much, if any, work you will do while on vacation. (Doing NO work on vacation is perfectly fine and encouraged.) Make this decision based on your specific timing and situation of your time away. Will you even have the option of getting phone calls or email? In most cases, now, you can almost always get access to Wi-Fi, even on cruise ships. Determine ahead of time for yourself and with your family if you will do any work and if so, when. One common strategy I have used and heard many others employ is getting up a little earlier than everyone else and doing catch up work in the morning before the day begins. This allows you to stay connected, constrains your time, and allows you to enjoy the rest of your day.
The purpose of a vacation is to enjoy yourself, your family, and to experience new or at least different things. Having a plan for who is in charge, getting caught up, and what boundaries you have for yourself will enable you to participate fully in your time away from your store or office. Vacations are also an excellent reset point for yourself and your business. By relaxing and enjoying yourself, you will find that you will have more energy and ideas for your work when you return. Knowing you can start from a clean slate when you get back makes it that much easier to feel like having a fresh beginning to build upon.
What are some of your ideas for ensuring you can enjoy and be fully present on your vacation?
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