| |
We all Need Vacations: Get the Most out of Yours
Like most entrepreneurs, you probably juggle so many roles that planning for and taking some much-needed time off can cause you additional stress. But, remember, it's not a badge of honour to forfeit vacations. As a busy business owner, you need - and deserve - downtime to revitalize.
In our information-intensive world, coming back from vacation to an in-box chockfull of unanswered e-mails and a desk covered with messages and paperwork can ramp up those stress levels. We asked Canada's work-life balance expert, Nora Spinks, President of Work-Life Harmony Enterprises (e-mail: nspinks@worklifeharmony.ca), to share her insights on how to best use your vacation to refresh and rejuvenate and how to ensure a smooth re-entry when you return.
Step 1: PLAN a vacation/break - and hold firm to the commitment to yourself.
- As an entrepreneur, mid-week to mid-week is often better than Monday to Friday.
- Even if you are taking a two-week vacation, start on a Wednesday week one, then return on a Wednesday two weeks later.
- Never book meeting the day before a vacation (think of yourself as already on your way…)
- Don't wait until the last minute (you deserve your most efficient self-management to minimize pre-vacation stress).
- Never come back to work after you have said 'Good-bye, I am going on vacation.' It sends the wrong message to your staff (either you are not a good manager, planner, organizer, or you don't trust them to do their work while you are away.)
Step 2: Decompress.
- When you leave work, start the mental and emotional transition. Turn off your brain and let go.
- Plan a transition activity - at both ends of your vacation - to ensure a smooth re-entry following a break. For example, before leaving, get a facial, message, pedicure, day at a spa; it can make a one- week vacation feel like two.
- DO NOT TAKE WORK WITH YOU - you will either not do it and feel guilty, or do it and feel cheated or guilty, or both.
Step 3: Relax, rest, rejuvenate (unplug, disconnect, log off, tune out- turn off).
- Refrain from checking in, signing in, etc.
- Trust your people to reach you if necessary. Leave a sealed envelope with your contact information, with instructions to contact in case of emergency. They will feel safe and secure, but respect your need for time away.
- Model balance behaviours.
Step 4: Plan your re-entry.
- Arrive home one day before you get back to work - give your self time to rev-up, triage your voicemail, e-mail, etc.
- Give yourself an extra day - on your voicemail and e-mail auto reply message, tell people you will be back the day after you actually return to work - i.e. if you return on Wednesday, tell the outside world you will be back Thursday.
- Avoid meetings, especially out of the office meetings, on the day you return.
|
|
