Thursday, June 16, 2011
The Messenger: Surviving a Vacation
The Messenger: Surviving a Vacation: "If you haven't said it yourself, you probably know someone who has: 'I need a vacation from my vacation.' Going back to work after taking a..."
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Surviving a Vacation
If you haven't said it yourself, you probably know someone who has: "I need a vacation from my vacation." Going back to work after taking any amount of personal time off can sometimes be overwhelming, but you can take a few steps to make the transition back to your professional life a little easier. Before you take off for your next vacation, keep the following tips in mind:
1. Anticipate. At least a week before you set your out-of-office email, check your schedule and deadlines and make sure you tie up as many projects and loose ends as possible before you go. Going in early and staying late to get tasks done before you leave will not only make life easier for those you're leaving behind, but it will also make life easier on you when you return.
2. Delegate. Sometimes, no matter how many extra hours you put in, you just can't pre-fix everything. Before you leave, make a list of potential issues that may arise, projects or tasks that are currently underway, and invoices or correspondence you expect to receive (and need to act on) while you're away. Then, make your colleagues aware of your concerns and needs and identify who will take care of what while you're gone.
3. Communicate. If you don't mind accepting work calls while you're on vacation, let your key contacts know, but also let them know what types of calls you're willing to take and when.
4. Procrastinate. Mondays are hard enough. Don't make your return to work harder than it needs to be. Plan to make your first day back a Thursday or Friday. You'll get your feet wet and get a two-day breather before facing a full week.
5. Isolate. If possible, designate yourself unavailable for a period of time your first morning back. Whether you simply shut your door or book a conference room for yourself, give yourself a chance to work through your emails or inbox without interruption. Not possible? Get to the office an hour before everyone else does. While that may sound like a painful way to re-enter the "real world," you'll be glad you did when your colleagues start stopping by, wanting to discuss your time out of the office and the things that you missed.
1. Anticipate. At least a week before you set your out-of-office email, check your schedule and deadlines and make sure you tie up as many projects and loose ends as possible before you go. Going in early and staying late to get tasks done before you leave will not only make life easier for those you're leaving behind, but it will also make life easier on you when you return.
2. Delegate. Sometimes, no matter how many extra hours you put in, you just can't pre-fix everything. Before you leave, make a list of potential issues that may arise, projects or tasks that are currently underway, and invoices or correspondence you expect to receive (and need to act on) while you're away. Then, make your colleagues aware of your concerns and needs and identify who will take care of what while you're gone.
3. Communicate. If you don't mind accepting work calls while you're on vacation, let your key contacts know, but also let them know what types of calls you're willing to take and when.
4. Procrastinate. Mondays are hard enough. Don't make your return to work harder than it needs to be. Plan to make your first day back a Thursday or Friday. You'll get your feet wet and get a two-day breather before facing a full week.
5. Isolate. If possible, designate yourself unavailable for a period of time your first morning back. Whether you simply shut your door or book a conference room for yourself, give yourself a chance to work through your emails or inbox without interruption. Not possible? Get to the office an hour before everyone else does. While that may sound like a painful way to re-enter the "real world," you'll be glad you did when your colleagues start stopping by, wanting to discuss your time out of the office and the things that you missed.
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