Car packed to the brim for a beach vacation; finally checking an item off your bucket list; barreling down a back road with the windows rolled down and the music turned up loud; exploring a new city; catching up with old friends. Escaping for a few days sounds nice, but it can be hard to leave work.
It’s ok to take a break - really.
According to a USTravel.org report, in 2017, Americans accumulated more than 705 million unused vacation days, and 52% of Americans ended that year without using their accrued vacation time. What’s worse, approximately 212 million vacation days were not only unused, but were lost completely, because they expired at the end of the year.Naturally, those in high-level leadership positions take even less time off. It’s tough to break away from any job, and when you're in charge, it’s exponentially harder.
The dedication to productivity that makes great leaders and high-performing teams can also prevent people from taking much needed vacation time. And since technology makes it truly difficult to unplug, real downtime is hard to come by.
But time away is essential to help leaders and their teams continue to be productive. Fresh air, new experiences, and solid rest can do wonders for the work-weary. Burned-out leaders may negatively impact the morale of an entire team, and inadvertently create a workplace culture that does not appear to value a healthy work-life balance.
Taking an occasional break is healthy. Preparing your team ahead of time can help you enjoy that time away and minimize your worries while you’re gone.
If you want to rest easier on vacation, continually work with your team to prepare them for your absence. Cross-train and build your team’s confidence by empowering them to make decisions as a regular part of your workplace culture. Your next vacation won’t be so disruptive, and you and your team will be more relaxed during your time away.
Consider your clients as well. Communicate clearly. Let them know you’ll be gone and give them a plan if something goes wrong in your absence. You'll be able to take a break knowing that your clients' expectations won't go unmet.
Then, go. Wade into the ocean. Hike to the peak. Sleep under the stars. Take a moment to release all the effort you put into your everyday and live in the moment. Who knows? You may relax enough to come up with your next great idea.
When you return, your work will be waiting for you to jump back in and you’ll be refreshed and ready to tackle the next challenge. Encourage your team to do the same. Promote the importance of personal time for every team member. Your entire team will benefit.