How to Actually Unplug on Vacation (Even if You’re a Manager)
Photo by Chen Mizrach on Unsplash
TL/DR:
It might be easier to take a “disconnected" vacation this summer than you think.
Defining boundaries before you leave makes time off more restful
Post-vacation reentry is smoother when planned intentionally (and blocked on your calendar)
You can disconnect — with the right systems in place
The whole shebang:
“Is it even possible to truly disconnect on vacation?”
Have you ever uttered those words? Out loud, or in your own head?
This morning, I got an email from one of my clients asking for strategies for minimizing the impact of work on vacation.
And look, while I’m a huge fan of the “off grid" vacation, where you’re literally not reachable, that isn’t always possible for everyone, in every job.
BUT, if you’ve got an upcoming vacation this summer, there are some things you can do RIGHT NOW, to ensure that that vacation is as disconnected as possible. And that you get to disconnect and truly rejuvenate during your time off.
Want a playbook for how to set yourself up to actually enjoy that vacation? Let’s go!
A Few Weeks Before Your Vacation
Define, and communicate, the “emergency channel”.
How do you want your team to reach out to you in case of a true emergency? Text? Call?
When you define the emergency channel, you’re doing 2 key things: 1) Setting expectations that you won’t be “checking in” and 2) Ensuring that there will be an agreed-upon method to contact you, should a true emergency arise, which will make your team feel more comfortable with your absence.
Block off the last day (or afternoon) before your vacation on your work calendar as a prep day so that no one can schedule a meeting. Use this time to wrap up all loose ends.
Block off the first day you’ll be back on your calendar so no one can schedule meetings. You’ll use this day to play catch up on emails, Slack and voicemails, and to get status updates from your team.
Find a coworker who will handle emergent issues for you while you’re out. (And don’t forget to promise to return the favor.)
Block out your vacation on your calendar so people know you’ll be gone.
Reschedule or remove any meetings or events, work or personal, that occur during your vacation.
The Day Before Your Vacation
Send out an email to your manager and relevant colleagues documenting the status of all projects (as described above).
Set up your “out of office” voicemail, email auto-reply and Slack/Teams status message.
Set yourself a task for when you return to complete the “Return from Vacation” process (You don’t want to be worried about this on vacation, do you?)
When You Return from Vacation
Thank yourself for blocking off the first day for catch-up!
Update your “out of office” voicemail and Slack/Teams status and turn off your email auto-responder.
Process your voicemails, your email and Slack/Teams messages using the One Touch Rule.
Re-prioritize your task list (incorporating the new items).
Have a chat with the colleague who was covering for you to get an update on any developments.
Let the team know you are back and thank them for covering for you.
