When is the last time you took a vacation? I mean, a real vacation, not just a day or two off to catch up on errands or house projects while you still monitored emails and voicemails?
If you’re like many of the business owners, executives, and managers I know, you don’t give priority to taking time off. After all, who will make sure the company doesn’t sink while you’re away, right?
I hear you, but I also hear talk about increased stress levels, emerging health issues, and decreased overall well-being. And what your employees may be hearing is the message that the well-being of the company comes before the well-being of its team.
Screech. What?
If you, as a leader, refuse to take time away from the office your team may adopt the same hesitation, fearing they may be viewed as lazy if they do take a vacation. They may also think you don’t have enough trust in them to handle things in your absence.
Not really the message you want to send, is it? So how do you take a vacation and keep things rolling along at the office?
1. Plan ahead.
Go ahead and open your calendar. Right now. Pick an entire week (maybe two?) and block it off for vacation. You can do it. I know it’s hard.
2. Enlist help.
Identify key members of your team who can handle the necessary and the urgent in your absence. If you’ve built a good team, this won’t be hard to do.
3. Strategize your workload.
Now look at the few weeks preceding your scheduled vacation and the week after you return. What can you plan to do ahead of time that will give you peace of mind while you are way and offer your team the tools they need to execute tasks in your absence? Block some time off for the week you return to focus on catching.
4. Execute, execute, execute!
Now all that’s left to do is pick where you’re going and then GO. Study after study shows the benefits of giving ourselves an extended break—better sleep, increased creativity, reduced stress levels that can lead to serious health concerns, and so much more. (Just google, “Why should I take a vacation?”)
Yes, taking a vacation takes time and intention. Yes, taking a vacation means that your team will have to temporarily cover your specific workload in your absence. Yes, you may experience withdrawal from your laptop and phone while you’re away (because they should not get to go with you!). I get it. But I guarantee that when you lead by example and take a vacation, you, your team, and even your company will be better than ever.
We can’t plan your vacation, but we can help you design a great vacation/PTO policy for your workplace, help you to implement a hiring process to recruit and retain the best employees, and so much more. Email us today.
