After months without a day off, it's official: You need a vacation. But you feel you just can't leave the office for a long weekend, much less five days or - heaven forbid - two weeks.
The E-Leash - Many of us feel pressured to work on vacation or just down right guilty for not being in the office. Cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices can create a sort of e-leash. Planning ahead and setting boundaries with your co-workers is the key to making sure you get the break you need. To enjoy a stress-free and work-free vacation, try these tips:
Leave a roadmap - A few weeks before you leave, start recording important information, key contacts and any deadlines that will come up while you are gone. If you leave co-workers with a guide that will help them address questions that arise they will be less likely to contact you on vacation and you will be less likely to walk into a war zone when you return.
Stick to an itinerary - While it's best to leave the office at the office, if you must do work, set limits and boundaries for yourself and your co-workers. Don't let activities on vacation be interrupted by work. Instead set aside an hour or less each day to think about work and stick to it. Instead of having co-workers call you, tell them when you are going to check in, so you can control the time allotted.
As a side note:
In a survey conducted by Expedia.com the vacation habits of employed workers in the U.S., Great Britain, Germany, France and Spain were analyzed. Among the countries surveyed, Americans receive the fewest vacation days on average per year, earning only 14 days, compared to 24 days in Great Britain, 26 days in Germany, 30 days in Spain, and 36 days in France. It’s no surprise that Americans work a lot, but how much is too much. If you actually take a break from the office while on vacation you'll most likely come back refreshed and more productive - it’s a win-win.
