For 30 years in automotive, I always assumed this was just something I had to do to have a successful career. I worked almost every day for most of my vacations. Even worse, I thought about work most of the time on vacation even when I was not working. A couple of years ago I joined workaholics anonymous and realized it is really important to take a real break. In my last couple of vacations while still in my demanding automotive career, I worked very little and was completely off the grid for 10 days at one point. I got over my ego of thinking I needed to be involved in everything. And I asked off from as many things as possible suggesting others to cover as well as me. I just worked a little behind the scenes. In WA I felt like I should not work on vacation at all. This week was my first family vacation since my sabbatical and having started working again in both real estate and consulting. We rented a home on St. Simons Island, GA with all of Tonya’s family and had a great time; relaxed, connected and fun. And I did work some, but I found a new way to do it. First, there are no “should’s” either working or not. I remember that the purpose of vacation is to take a break and the key to that is to be present with whatever I am doing, as @ShilpanAmin, posted in his mental health video last week. When I am visiting with family or playing on the beach, I am doing that completely and not thinking about work at all. I did that very well this time. Also, it is important to manage expectations on both side, with work colleagues and family members. I let my clients know that I was on vacation and would have very limited availability and pushed back or delegated everything that I could before I left and I let my family know I would be working a little too, but not interfering with any planned activities, meals, or games. And I stuck to it, not answering any calls during those times. Finally, as my therapist has said, I asked myself what I can do to make the work more fun. This is new to me and I really like it. When I was review agreements and making calls, I set myself up on a lounge chair in the shade by the pool and in between tasks, would take a dip and enjoy a cold drink or fruit.
So it is not so much about working or not on vacation, but making sure that work is turned off in my mind most of the time so I can rest and recharge and only doing the key items that I need to do to keep the process moving and doing those in a way that is as fun as possible. Applying those principles, I had a great vacation and am now headed home for my first 100 mile (century) bike ride that I put together for a friend, @RobertTakla, that is doing a one in every state. Life is good!
How do you manage work on vacation? Does it feel good or build resentment?
Have a great weekend and great summer vacation when you get there!
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