4 Steps to Get Ready for a Great Vacation
Are you looking forward to your next vacation? If your answer is a qualified yes where you are looking forward to being away, but dread the workload that gets backlogged while you are away, these tips are for you. There are steps you can take to ensure that you can enjoy your time away to its fullest and be invigorated when you return.Here are a few ideas for how you can set yourself up for a great vacation.
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 they will cover in your absence and that they can make full decisions while you are away.
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 place some items in 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. 1) 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. 2) 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.
Set Your Own Boundaries
Choose how much, if any, work you will do while on vacation. 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 WiFi - 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? Share your thoughts in the comments section.Join other retail leaders in continuing their development journey with Effective Retail Leader.com. SUBSCRIBE today to receive FREE leadership tips directly to your inbox and monthly newsletters that provide many tools to help further develop your leadership skills all at no cost. JOIN NOW!No spam ever - just leadership goodness.