Being able to work from anywhere in the world, at any time of day or night, is a blessing… and a curse. “Unplugging” from our responsibilities is essential whether we are employees, solopreneurs, or business owners with a team of direct reports. Unfortunately, it’s easy to pack our laptops, check our emails on our phones, or call in for messages. Easy, but dangerous.
It’s time to learn how to create boundaries that will have you not just going on vacation but actually enjoying it.
The Dangers of Working While You’re Supposed to Be Playing
Working while on vacation not only does a disservice to ourselves, but to our family, our friends, and even our clients. Didn’t see that last one coming, did you?
Allow me to explain. Let’s say your client needs something ASAP. You, however, are in the middle of Disneyland, sporting a pair of Mickey ears and trying to calm your daughter down after she had a meltdown on the Haunted Mansion ride (what? I totally didn’t freak out as a child and have to be removed from that ride through an emergency exit).
But alas, you get the call or the email that there’s an “emergency.” So, you pull your family over to the side, pat your screaming daughter on the head with one hand while attempting to navigate your smartphone with the other. Your husband is irritated, your son has wandered off and may have joined the parade, and your daughter… she’s still screaming. You managed to shoot off whatever was so damn important to your client. But oops… you sent the wrong thing.
Can you see how this scenario could get really ugly, really fast?
Your entire family is upset with you; your client is angry because you’ve done less than stellar work, and your blood pressure is higher than the drop point in Guardians of the Galaxy.
You now need a vacation from your vacation.
Work Hard. Play Hard.
When you are at the office (no matter where your office happens to be), work. When you are out of the office, play.
Of course, that’s easier said than done. Don’t worry; I’ve got 5 easy steps you can follow to truly enjoy your time away from the office without feeling like you’re letting anyone down.
Notify Clients Ahead of Time
If you’ve got regular clients you work with, there’s no harm in letting them know you’ll be out of the office well before your departure. Most clients will be happy you are taking some much-needed R&R… provided you assure them their projects will be handled. Note: If you have clients who don’t understand your need to unplug and spend quality time with family… you have the wrong clients. Give your clients a heads-up as to the dates you’ll be out of the office (and out of contact). Assure them that you’ve got everything under control and their business (or life) won’t suffer during this time.
Get Everything Under Control
This may mean starting work early or ending work late for a few days to complete everything before you leave. The goal is to clear as much off your plate as possible for the time you are gone. This may not be possible. If you know about your vacation when starting a project, let the client know that you won’t work a specific week and adjust the expected delivery date appropriately
Delegate
If you’ve got people on your team, delegate responsibilities to team members while you are out of the office. Assign a point of contact for clients to communicate with while you are gone. And don’t worry if you are a solopreneur. If whatever you do for your clients can’t wait a week until you return to get done, connect with a colleague who does something similar in the industry and suggest people contact that person if they absolutely can’t wait. Sometimes, you’ll need to delegate to the computers. Set up your social media and marketing to release on a specific day. Just because you’re not working, doesn’t mean your technology shouldn’t be.
Use an Out-of-Office Autoresponder
While you can contact your existing clients ahead of time, who knows what new prospects may reach out while you are incommunicado. Use an away message to tell them how important they are and when they can expect to hear back from you. Include a link to your calendar so people can book time once you’re back in town.
Detach
There’s a very good chance that if your work doesn’t get done for 5 business days, it’s not going to cause the end of the world. Once you’ve done all of your prep work, it’s time to sit back, eat a Mickey-shaped ice cream bar (seriously… so good), lace up your ski boots, stare at the waves, and enjoy your time with loved ones.
You owe it to yourself, your family, your friends, and your clients to truly detach from business every so often. Creating the boundary between work and play, and having this time away will make you more creative, better at whatever it is you do, and a much nicer person to be around.
For more tips on creating boundaries for a better business and life, visit www.SherylGreenSpeaks.com/boundary-bites
Where is your next vacation destination?
About the Author
Sheryl Green is a Mental Health speaker and author who works with individuals and organizations to establish healthy boundaries to improve relationships, communication, and well-being. Her mission is to make the world a better place… one boundary at a time. Learn more about her entertaining and illuminating programs or contact her at 702.885.4309.
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