All work and no play, to paraphrase an old saying, makes Jack and Jill dull employees. Which is why vacations are part of the benefit package of any regular full-time job.
Vacations re-charge your batteries so you can come back to work refreshed and energized – or at least they're supposed to.
But some people have a habit of taking work with them on vacation. They spend large chunks of time checking voicemails, e-mails and even checking in with the office. To be sure, there are times when such vacation diversions are unavailable – say, if you own your own business, you’re a CEO or your responsibilities require your attention when there’s a huge crisis.
But in most cases – and you’d have to trust us on this – your employer can live with your absence for a week or two.
“Allow yourself a small allowance, say one time a day in the morning and provide significant incentives if you stay within your goal,” Scott Rozman, a career and life coach, tells eFinancialCareers. “Make a commitment to others. If you're traveling with someone, give them your word … something like: ‘I will not work while I am on vacation’ or ‘I will not go onto my computer or check e-mails while I am on vacation.’" After you've made a commitment/promise to others, make it an extreme penalty if you:
Julie Morgenstern, a productivity and time management expert, suggests breaking up your vacation into weekend getaways. “Schedule weekend escapes throughout the year instead of one to two solid weeks off,” she says. “These escapes will refresh your spirit, create mini-motivators to get your work done and fuel your energy without taking you out of commission for a long stretch. [The] best part is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get away: pick a destination nearby and take a ‘one-tank’ road trip.”
