This morning I took my car in to replace the battery in the key. The automatic warning system told me that the key battery was low. Have you ever noticed how much better your car drives after it has had a tune up?
Vacations are one way we tune up. We go away with a desire to relax, rejuvenate and renew. A recent study by Britain’s Institute of Leadership and Management found the following:
- Over 1/3 of us are working on summer vacations.
- 80{160c7819af59c11da6532971d4da6329afa70521e09652cedd42dbad61fa4f29} are frequently answering and checking emails while we are away.
- This could be because 90{160c7819af59c11da6532971d4da6329afa70521e09652cedd42dbad61fa4f29} are worried that they will return to a deluge of emails.
- Up to 40{160c7819af59c11da6532971d4da6329afa70521e09652cedd42dbad61fa4f29} of the 2,500 people who returned from vacation came back feeling no more relaxed than prior to leaving.
We all have different jobs. Staying connected is more or less important based on our role. Sometimes we think we cannot disconnect because they won’t be able to do it without us or we worry that they can do it without us. We would not be needed.
When we are fully present, we are able to engage and renew.
Ask yourself:
- What is my desire/goal for this vacation?
- What do I need to make this happen?
- How will I feel if it doesn’t happen?
The next step is to talk with your supervisor, colleagues and clients about how you can achieve this goal while meeting all business needs.
- Turnover work to colleagues with clear expectations and guidelines
- Filter emails automatically
- Let others know you will be away in advance of leaving
- Limit contact with the office
- Add an auto responder letting people know you are away and whom to contact in your absence.
It seems obvious. It is possible and can be done. Like my key battery, We need to recharge or we will run low. Your car performs better after a tune up. So will you!