“Neglecting vacation is neglecting success because every success needs an accumulated positive energy.”
Mehmet Murat Ildan
Vacations can be hard for leaders.
Taking a vacation naturally implies taking a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It means stepping away from the to-do lists, work commitments, and draining relationships.
Taking a vacation means taking space, and from time to time, this “space” is something we all (yes, even you) need.
It sounds great, right?! So why are vacations often difficult for leaders?
Think about it…
If you’ve found yourself in a position of influence or leadership, you didn’t get here by accident. You’ve arrived at this spot after years of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication.
For many of us leaders, this hustle and grind approach to life has become second nature.
The busyness (and let’s face it, stress) of normal life can almost feel like a security blanket. It’s a tangible sign that you are doing something productive with your time and energy.
The idea of taking a vacation can seem counter-intuitive to many high-achieving individuals. It can be tempting to internalize the belief that “unproductive” time (at least in the traditional sense of the word) is a waste of time.
Here’s the problem…
Even the highest achievers need to take a break every once in a while or they risk burnout.
Now, you may be thinking, “Sarah, I’ve taken “vacations” but to be honest, they didn’t really feel like a break.”
This brings us to a secondary struggle when leaders attempt to take a vacation: We often bring our work along with us.
I’ll be honest friend, I’ve done this more times than I can count. Sometimes it looks like checking emails while sitting by a campfire or scheduling Zoom meetings while traveling in our RV.
This sounds like a great solution. The best of both worlds, right?
I think if we are honest with ourselves, we all know that working in a different location is not the same thing as a vacation.
It doesn’t allow for disconnection and space we need to truly reset and restore. It doesn’t allow our vacation to be what it needs to be: a break.
I know, old habits die hard, and truly disconnecting is easier said than done.
As I mentioned, this is something I’ve personally battled for many years and I am continuously working on making time for truly disconnected and restorative vacations. Here are a few strategies I’ve found helpful along the way:
- Give Yourself Permission:
This is a necessary first step. It’s a mindset shift. If you (like me) have spent years trying to stay ahead of the onslaught of work waiting upon your return, you must begin giving yourself permission to rest. Accept that work continues in our absence. And without the occasional break, you will be less productive in your commitments, if you don’t burn out altogether.
Permission to take a break is simply the acknowledgment that a break will ultimately lead to greater effectiveness in the long run.
- Schedule and Protect Your Vacation Time:
It helps to plan ahead. Let’s face it, a vague “I’d like to take a vacation this summer” isn’t likely to turn into concrete plans. Instead, put pen to paper and block off time on your calendar. It doesn’t have to be a long time. It could just be a weekend if that’s what you have available.
The important thing is to firmly protect your “vacation time.” Treat it like any other commitment (ex: work meetings, doctor’s appointments, etc.) You simply are not available during this time.
- Detach From Technology:
If there’s one thing that can interrupt an otherwise relaxing vacation, it’s technology. The ding of the email notifications or ringing of phone calls can be so difficult to resist. I recommend setting autoresponders before your vacation begins and turning your devices to “Do Not Disturb” mode (or better yet, keep them turned off.)
- Avoid Overscheduling Your Vacation
For those of us who crave productivity, it can be tempting to fill our vacations with activities, dinner reservations, and events. While a little bit of this can add some fun, too many activities can actually leave us feeling more depleted than we did going into the break.
Since the entire point of taking a vacation is to give ourselves time to rest and relax, it’s important to leave time in the schedule to do just that.
As we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of summer, I invite you to give yourself permission to take a break. If you’re able to take some time off to travel, do it! If carving out a weekend for a “staycation” is more up your alley, go for it! It doesn’t really matter where you are or what you do, simply that you make the time to give yourself some much-needed and deserved rest.
To stay up to date on this month’s “Summer Vacation” blog series, click HERE to join my email list. We’ve got some funny stories to share that you won’t want to miss.
Article was contributed by: Maria Lees, Team Writer with Sarah Boxx
