Seven Steps For Taking A Real Vacation

Do you have trouble disconnecting from work while on vacation?

If so, you are not alone.

Business Week reports that over 76 percent of executives said they work at least a few times a week, and 33 percent said they conduct business every single day.

Is this healthy?

The American Institute of Stress reports, “Increased levels of job stress have been demonstrated to be associated with increased rates of heart attack, hypertension and other disorders.”

Is this productive?

As executive coaches, we see the effects of prolonged stress on our clients every day: reduced focus, lack of energy, loss of enthusiasm and creativity; with increased negative interactions with team members. The Families and Work Institute found that overworked individuals are more likely to make mistakes.

So, our big question is: Is it really necessary to always take the office with you?

It is, if you haven’t done sufficient planning. Like everything else in business and life – insufficient planning leads to poor results.

One client, the President of an International Manufacturing company, candidly shares what so many others suffer through. “I normally practice the Robin Williams concept from the movie RV; I do my work when the family is asleep.”

Our Dynamic Results team is committed to living our Accountability Method™; which goes way beyond getting things done on time. Being accountable includes taking good care of yourself and living life in a way that is nurturing for you and inspiring to the people with whom you live and work.

Here are a few tips to help boost your accountability for taking healthy and refreshing vacations:

• A few weeks before leaving, review the status of your key projects. Decide what you will complete before leaving and what and to whom you will delegate remaining tasks.
• Consult with all your team members and communicate to each one what you want them to handle while you’re away. Make sure to have them state their understanding of what you require to guard against mixed signals or other miscommunications.
• Notify everyone concerned in your projects who will be responsible while you’re away; how to reach them, and when you’ll return.
• Set your voice mail, email, and other communication accounts to inform everyone you are out of the office on vacation.
• Leave the day before and the day after your trip unscheduled. This will allow you to leave with confidence knowing that you have not only a manageable situation to return to, but time to deal with any unforeseen problems when you get back.
• Most importantly – commit to letting go and not checking your email, slack, other chat streams and voice mail while away.
• Finally, make yourself accountable to your significant other and family by showing them this article.

One client, a SVP at a Global Manufacturing company advises that to develop strong, independent thinkers and doers, letting go while you are away gives all concerned the opportunity to rise to the next level.

Henry Evans, Change Excellence Officer (CEO) of Dynamic Results, shares, “I leave my laptop behind. I do carry a phone in case of emergency, but usually leave it turned off and packed away. My out of office assistant is always on and my objective is to focus on recharging and rejuvenating for a happier and more productive Henry when I return.”

As always, we welcome your comments. Join us on facebook to share your experiences or email us at [email protected].

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