When did relaxing become so stressful? For many busy
professionals, the thought of preparing for a week or two away from the office
is so burdensome that they forgo the hard-earned break altogether. After all,
it's difficult to recharge when you go into a vacation exhausted, then spend
every moment worried about the mountain of work you'll return to.
If this sounds familiar, consider the following tips for
planning a more restful respite:
Recognize the rewards of relaxation. Whether you head to
the French Riviera or stay in your hometown, stepping away to focus on
something other than work is healthy -- and necessary. Decompressing for a week
or two can increase your on-the-job effectiveness. In a Robert Half
International survey, a majority of executives said that employees are more
productive after a vacation.
Be time-sensitive. Another survey by our company shows
that employers prefer that their teams take scheduled time off during the
summer. Thirty-six percent of executives said August is the most favorable
month for staff to take vacations; 21 percent said July. While workload peaks
and valleys vary from organization to organization, help yourself (and your
coworkers) by choosing a time when activity slows.
Create an action plan. Make a prioritized to-do list
broken down into (a) assignments you absolutely must complete before leaving,
(b) tasks that can be handled by others while you're away, and (c) work that
can wait until you return. Meet with your supervisor to ensure that you're both
on the same page. If you are worried about projects that need to be completed while
you're away, ask your manager about bringing in temporary workers to help keep
assignments on track. Also, arrange your schedule so that you can complete the
majority of your action items before your last day. You'll spare yourself some
grief by building in extra time to handle any last-minute requests.
Identify a point person. While several team members may
pitch in to maintain workflow in your absence, ask one trusted colleague to
serve as the point person. Tidy up your work area and show him or her where you
keep pivotal information -- both electronically and on your desk. Moreover,
consider providing written instructions for resolving some of the most common
issues you encounter. Foster goodwill by letting your backup know that you'll
happily return the favor when it's his or her time to hit the beach.
Use technology to your advantage. It's best to provide
key colleagues, customers and clients with a few weeks' notice before taking
off. But don't forget to leave thorough out-of-office email and voice-mail
messages noting how long you'll be gone and the names and contact information
of those who are covering for you. In addition, go through your email inbox and
delete nonessential messages to free up space for bulky files that may be sent
while you're gone.
Finally, set firm boundaries. Request that you either not
be contacted during your vacation or only in the event of an emergency. And be
disciplined about disconnecting. If you think you'll be tempted to check your
email remotely or call into the office for status updates, take a break from
your electronic gadgets, too. Remember: To truly derive the benefits of a
vacation, you must give yourself permission to simply relax and enjoy yourself.
Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices throughout North America, South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com. For additional workplace articles and podcasts, visit workvine.com.
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