Top photo by Gary James
It’s June, and time to make sure that you have planned your vacation. Have you? I notice that many kind and caring leaders put themselves last and allow their team members to book their summer vacations first. That’s certainly laudable, but then there is no time available for them, and they spend all summer “covering” for their team members. Is this you?
Vacations are something I am passionate about. I spend a lot of time coaching clients on how to take real vacations i.e. unplugged from work, with no disruptions and that bring joy in terms of doing what they want to do. And I spend a lot of time planning my own vacations. I have posted a number of blogs on the topic, which I list at the end of this post.
We know that vacations are important to our health, productivity and well-being, but sometimes, for many reasons, we are not able to take full-blown time off. In such cases, how do we get the benefits of a vacation? Try taking a mini-vacation or a staycation (where you don’t travel)! Here are some ideas:
- Take advantage of long weekends by sandwiching an extra day on both ends. If there’s a public holiday on a Monday, try taking off Friday and Tuesday so that you return to work on Wednesday.
- Consider any change of scenery a vacation – book a night at a hotel in your city. You don’t have to go far.
- Be a tourist in your town – take a day to explore like a first time visitor. Do a bus tour or hire a driver. Have fun – pretend to be from somewhere else, put on your tourist outfit, your foreign accent and explore.
- Take a day off midweek – one of my greatest pleasures is going to the beach during the week. It’s devoid of people and I lay there thinking of all the worker bees toiling, whilst I am lolling! A full spa day is also a wonderful indulgence.
- Take a day off, stay home and do NOTHING! And I mean nothing – no chores, no catching up on your never-ending to-do list. If you start feeling bored, irritated or restless, repeat this mantra from Thich Nacht Hahn over and over until you relax: “Nowhere to go. Nothing to do.” And do just that!
Whatever you do, make sure your team knows you will be away and unavailable. For such a short time, try leaving your phone at home, or at least on airplane mode. Don’t check email – unplug!
And one other thing – open your calendar RIGHT NOW, and block time for your next vacation. And please do not hesitate to contact me if you need help for this very important aspect of being the best leader you can possibly be!
Similar blog posts on vacations by Marguerite:
How To Have A Great Vacation – 7 Things To Do Before You Leave – click HERE to view article
Everyone Needs A Vacation – Especially You – click HERE to view article
Vacation Time – click HERE to view article
Why Sometimes a Leader Must Be Selfish – click HERE to view article
Great reminder ,especially item 5. I sometimes take a day off but spend it doing family stuff , only to return to work tired !.
Thanks for the comment Sharon. “Nowhere to go, nothing to do” is a GREAT mantra. I hope you will block some Sharon time soon, and do just that. You deserve it.
Gratefully and joyfully
Marguerite
Timely, thank you.
You are most welcome. I hope you take the time to vacay, staycay, rest, recover, revitalise! You desever it!
Gratefully and joyfully
Marguerite