My recent summer vacation was completely rejuvenating. Before, I went, I found myself exhausted from working, lost in the daily grind, and sometimes getting upset and anxious at work about the smallest things. I came back from vacation refreshed and more productive.
My work, my mood, my attitude, my perspective is so much better because of taking some much-needed time off. I would say that it actually ‘saved my job’ as I rescue my employer from the worst of myself, and come back to the ‘best me’ possible. Read below for some ‘work rules’ for going on vacation as well as how the benefits of taking a vacation can actually save your job.
Work ‘rules’ for going on vacation
There are some unspoken work rules you should follow for going on vacation. The main rule is – ‘don’t work on vacation’. If you work during your vacation, then your really aren’t off, and then the benefits of going on vacation don’t apply.
Don’t check email or work voicemail on vacation
I mean it. Don’t even peek. Be adamant about doing this. If you can avoid it, don’t take your laptop or work phone. If you have to take your devices with you, then don’t open work email apps.
Do delegate responsibilities to other coworkers
If people contact you regularly for things they may need, leave a contact person for when you are away. Check with that person to make sure it is okay unless it is understood. This person could even be your manager.
Turn on your ‘Out of Office’ message
In your work email application, in the ‘Out of Office’ sections, type a short message. Say the dates you will be out. Leave a contact person that others can contact if they need something from you that can’t wait when you get back. Say when you will return their message.
A good out of office message could say “I will be out from _______________ (date range). For immediate assistance with ______________(fill in) please contact ________(name of contact) at ___________(email address or phone of contact person or group). I will return your message on ____(your return date) when I return.”
Cancel or reschedule any meetings you may miss
Don’t ignore meetings scheduled during your vacation week in hopes that no one will notice your absence or remember that you are out. For any meetings, where you are a critical participant, be sure to cancel ahead of time with the reason that you are on vacation. Or reschedule if others cannot take your place. This doesn’t apply to large meetings, where you are there to listen.
Plan ahead and if possible schedule vacations when you don’t have important deadlines, meetings, or tasks
Try to think ahead of scheduling your vacation to do it around when would be a good time at work. If you are in the middle of a big project, or there is a National Sales Meeting you need to attend, then it may not be a good time. However, there may be things like weddings, etc. where you can’t help it. In that case, if possible, see if you can schedule projects around this.
Don’t put off scheduling because there isn’t a good time
There never will be the perfect time. Schedule your vacation anyways. – While it is nice to plan during times you are less busy, this is not always possible. Schedule your vacation anyways.
Try to space them out
If possible, get into a habit of scheduling vacations by planning ahead of time. Try to space them out so that your have a cycle of work-vacation-work-vacation, etc. to maximize your productivity.
Consider short vacations as well as long ones
We may not always have the time or money to schedule 2 week vacations or longer. Consider even 3 day weekends, or even the occasional day off.
Mix it up
We may have some vacations that are obligatory family matters such as funerals, holidays, weddings, etc. They may be enjoyable and at times perhaps stressful. Try to schedule a vacation you truly enjoy.
Some people love adventure while others love solitude. Some people enjoy a party-like resort while another loves a quiet fishing trip. I’ve know people to love just staying home and doing their spring cleaning. Find what you love and try to schedule it. I’ve found a link between how pleasurable my vacation is with how rejuvenated and productive I feel when I get back.
How the benefits of taking a vacation can actually save your job
Rest and renewal increases productivity
Vacation, whether it is a retreat, adventure, or celebration, has a way of giving us much needed rest. It is a reset for our body and brain, especially it it involves getting out into nature. When we come back, we find increased productivity at work and often a better attitude.
Forces you to delegate
My need to be in charge of my own work can often keep me from empowering others. Vacation is a wonderful time to allow others to shoulder some of the work for you. It takes a load off your shoulders and allows someone to cover for you. It has been a great mental practice for me to allow others to help me. I, in turn, can return the favor on their vacations. Don’t be the person checking work email on vacation because you can’t delegate.
Shows others your importance
Sometimes colleagues can take you for granted. Going on vacation sometimes allows them to see how much you do and how good you are at your work. Although you should delegate work during your vacation, sometimes without your presence, others have difficulty completing certain tasks or answering certain questions. Maybe they just miss your nice personality or smile. Absence makes the heart grow fonder…..even at work.
Makes you appreciate your job
When I was at a resort, I saw how there were elderly ladies doing manual labor, such as housekeeping or restaurant duties. They would take a bus an hour each way to get to their job where they could work sometimes up to 12 hours a day. Yet they remained joyful, pleasant and energetic. While I can sometimes be ‘spoiled’ and moan and groan about working at a computer all day, I realized how in some ways I have it “easy” and it makes me appreciate my job.
Even pleasure has its limits. After a week of a fantastic vacation, funny how I am ready to go back home and back to work. After being served coffee by waiters all week, I was ready to brew my own cup and sit at my desk.
Changes your environment and your perspective
I once read that if some part of your life is bothering you, try focusing elsewhere for awhile then returning. This is true of vacation. We can find ourselves at different negative lows at work – exhaustion, boredom, anxiety, etc. Vacation allows us to refocus our energy. When we reenter the ‘workplace’ we may find that we now have a better attitude, more energy, and greater inspiration.
Good for your brain
Our recent trip to Mexico really inspired me. It was an opportunity to practice a little Spanish and learn about another culture. I got a lot of physical activity by walking and swimming which is so healthy for brain activity. Not being at a computer all day, but rather being ‘out and about’ actually experiencing life was wonderful. I returned with what I’m sure are healthier brain cells.
My vacation was also filled with novelty and challenges. I had to learn the way a new culture conducts business. We took a snorkeling trip that I did for the first time that was a slight physical challenge for me and allowed me to learn a new skill. It was like a total mind reset.
Gets you out of a rut
I love a routine. Get up, make coffee, eat breakfast, sit at work desk,……..cook dinner, watch TV, go to bed. However, this starts to get old after awhile and boredom sets in. After a week of vacation, I come back to my routine, almost longing to do these things and much more appreciative of the little things in my day-to-day life, especially my job.
Essential for work-life balance
Especially true if you work from home, you need to get out into the world. It is important to ‘unplug’. It is also an opportunity to connect with other human beings which you may miss when you work from home. Perhaps you have more time with your family, such as your spouse and kids. If you find yourself in a place of ‘burnout’ then it is definitely time to book that next vacation.
Get into a practice of planning ahead and scheduling your vacations. Then you always have something to look forward to. The reduced burnout, better attitude, improved well-being as well as optimal productivity may save your job, and maybe even your life.
