Vacation Dos and Don’ts

by | Jun 14, 2023 | Uncategorized

I’ve noticed that many executives, professionals and salespeople don’t really ever go on vacation. Instead, they just relocate their offices to their vacation destinations—it’s easy to do with laptops, smart phones, email and the Internet. And these days, it’s easier than ever to fall into this trap with so much remote work happening anyway.

But this office-away-from-the-office during your designated (and well-earned) downtime takes precious time away from the people you are with. Each time you “check in with work” you check out of vacation.

I strongly encourage you not to do this.

Interestingly, this post about how to spend (and not spend!) your vacation has been one of my most popular—and most controversial—conversations. Some of my clients have told me I’m wrong; others have thanked me for the insights. One thing we can all agree on:  If you stress less while on vacation, you’ll feel the benefits long after you return home.  

So here we go again …

To help you get the most out of your next vacation, I offer these cautionary Don’ts followed by some worthwhile Dos.

Seven Vacation Don’ts

  1. Don’t check voice mail or email while you’re away. The average person touches their smartphone 2,617 times each day! This constant checking keeps you in a work mindset, and that means you can’t really disconnect and recharge.
  2. Don’t “check in” with the office to see how things are going. I guarantee you’ll be pulled into something. If they need you badly enough—they will find you.
  3. Don’t take work-related files with you on vacation. (Not paper, not electronic.)
  4. Don’t take your work iPad or laptop with client or employee information on it. (I take my iPad, but I only use it for the Internet and personal emails. I have two email accounts—one professional and one personal—to keep work separate from the rest of my life.)
  5. Don’t encourage clients/employees to call you with problems. This is a good opportunity to let them know that the organization is bigger than just you and that you do have value-add other than yourself.
  6. Don’t become the project manager if there is aproblem that requires your input.Understand the problem, give instructions and ask for a status report to be left as a message—voice or text or email. If a problem was big enough to bubble up to you, unfortunately, you probably will need to stay on it. But you don’t necessarily have to manage it all.
  7. Don’t spend time on social media. Take a break from social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram while on vacation. They diminish your thoughtfulness. Turn on airplane mode, turn off notifications, set a timer or deactivate your accounts temporarily. Use your free time to connect instead with nature and family and yourself.

Seven Vacation Dos

  1. Do touch base with your “core” clients, colleagues, managers and valued relationships two weeks before leaving for vacation to let them know (or remind them) you will be out of the office. Make sure they have an alternate contact if they need help, and see if there is anything you can do for them before you go out of town.
  2. Do activate your “Out of the Office” email message. Include alternative contacts, if appropriate; the dates you will be out of the office; and when you will be returning to work. Do the same with your voice mail message.
  3. Do give instructions to your backup, administrative person or “temp” on how to handle your calls. Consider addressing with your team the main functions you’ll need to have covered while you’re away and plan for how to deal with certain scenarios should they arise. Give them any electronic and printed files they might need. Make sure they know to call you only on critical issues and opportunities. (This should be a very short list.)
  4. Do take a notepad or journal with you on vacation. Write down the ideas, dreams and solutions that will allow you to reach your goals—long-term and short-term. Be creative. This might be the one time of the year when your head is clear of the minutiae of work. If you don’t write down good ideas when they occur to you, you just might lose them. And reflect on where you stand with Family and the other 7 F’s of True Success: Fundamentals (of work), Finances, Faith, Fitness, Fun and Fusion (the balance of all this).
  5. Do get outside! The American Heart Association recommends spending time outside to reduce stress and anxiety and boost your mental wellbeing and even your immune system. Vacation often is the perfect time to look up from your devices and enjoy your surroundings.
  6. Do relax and have fun with family and friends! Speaking of that, understand what relaxation means to you. Yoga? Massages? Long walks? Time with a book and a beach chair? Or is it more physical exertion like hiking or kayaking? Know what works for you and do those things. Remember:  This is your downtime; you’ve earned it! Making the most of it is an important way to be authentic (and kind) to yourself.
  7. Finally, do plan your re-entry. Blocking out time on your calendar to catch up on emails immediately when you return or perhaps plan to work from home on Monday after your trip or spend your last day of vacation at home. A transition period can allow you to regain a manageable work pace and workload, so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Time off from work and time spent enjoying yourself and your loved ones isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity if you want true balance in life. A joyful, peaceful, fun and memorable vacation requires a plan. As you prepare for your summer time off, be sure to create boundaries back at the office so you can have a relaxed time away. I know you can do it because you want to Do What You Do Better. Besides, your family is counting on you. Go have fun!