A Strategic Approach to Preparing for a Restful Break
by Doug White, Robert Half International
When did relaxing become so stressful? For many busy professionals, the thought of preparing for a week or two away from the office is so burdensome that they forgo the hard-earned break altogether. After all, it's difficult to recharge when you go into a vacation exhausted, then spend every moment worried about the mountain of work you'll return to.
If this sounds familiar, consider the following tips for planning a more restful respite:
Recognize the rewards of relaxation. Whether you head to the French Riviera or stay in your hometown, stepping away to focus on something other than work is healthy -- and necessary. Decompressing for a week or two can increase your on-the-job effectiveness. In a Robert Half International survey, a majority of executives said that employees are more productive after a vacation.
Be time-sensitive. Another survey by our company shows that employers prefer that their teams take scheduled time off during the summer. Thirty-six percent of executives said August is the most favorable month for staff to take vacations; 21 percent said July. While workload peaks and valleys vary from organization to organization, help yourself (and your coworkers) by choosing a time when activity slows.
Create an action plan. Make a prioritized to-do list broken down into (a) assignments you absolutely must complete before leaving, (b) tasks that can be handled by others while you're away, and (c) work that can wait until you return. Meet with your supervisor to ensure that you're both on the same page. If you are worried about projects that need to be completed while you're away, ask your manager about bringing in temporary workers to help keep assignments on track. Also, arrange your schedule so that you can complete the majority of your action items before your last day. You'll spare yourself some grief by building in extra time to handle any last-minute requests.
Identify a point person. While several team members may pitch in to maintain workflow in your absence, ask one trusted colleague to serve as the point person. Tidy up your work area and show him or her where you keep pivotal information -- both electronically and on your desk. Moreover, consider providing written instructions for resolving some of the most common issues you encounter. Foster goodwill by letting your backup know that you'll happily return the favor when it's his or her time to hit the beach.
Use technology to your advantage. It's best to provide key colleagues, customers and clients with a few weeks' notice before taking off. But don't forget to leave thorough out-of-office email and voice-mail messages noting how long you'll be gone and the names and contact information of those who are covering for you. In addition, go through your email inbox and delete nonessential messages to free up space for bulky files that may be sent while you're gone.
Finally, set firm boundaries. Request that you either not be contacted during your vacation or only in the event of an emergency. And be disciplined about disconnecting. If you think you'll be tempted to check your email remotely or call into the office for status updates, take a break from your electronic gadgets, too. Remember: To truly derive the benefits of a vacation, you must give yourself permission to simply relax and enjoy yourself.
Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices throughout North America, South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com. For additional workplace articles and podcasts, visit workvine.com.
by Doug White, Robert Half International
When did relaxing become so stressful? For many busy professionals, the thought of preparing for a week or two away from the office is so burdensome that they forgo the hard-earned break altogether. After all, it's difficult to recharge when you go into a vacation exhausted, then spend every moment worried about the mountain of work you'll return to.
If this sounds familiar, consider the following tips for planning a more restful respite:
Recognize the rewards of relaxation. Whether you head to the French Riviera or stay in your hometown, stepping away to focus on something other than work is healthy -- and necessary. Decompressing for a week or two can increase your on-the-job effectiveness. In a Robert Half International survey, a majority of executives said that employees are more productive after a vacation.
Be time-sensitive. Another survey by our company shows that employers prefer that their teams take scheduled time off during the summer. Thirty-six percent of executives said August is the most favorable month for staff to take vacations; 21 percent said July. While workload peaks and valleys vary from organization to organization, help yourself (and your coworkers) by choosing a time when activity slows.
Create an action plan. Make a prioritized to-do list broken down into (a) assignments you absolutely must complete before leaving, (b) tasks that can be handled by others while you're away, and (c) work that can wait until you return. Meet with your supervisor to ensure that you're both on the same page. If you are worried about projects that need to be completed while you're away, ask your manager about bringing in temporary workers to help keep assignments on track. Also, arrange your schedule so that you can complete the majority of your action items before your last day. You'll spare yourself some grief by building in extra time to handle any last-minute requests.
Identify a point person. While several team members may pitch in to maintain workflow in your absence, ask one trusted colleague to serve as the point person. Tidy up your work area and show him or her where you keep pivotal information -- both electronically and on your desk. Moreover, consider providing written instructions for resolving some of the most common issues you encounter. Foster goodwill by letting your backup know that you'll happily return the favor when it's his or her time to hit the beach.
Use technology to your advantage. It's best to provide key colleagues, customers and clients with a few weeks' notice before taking off. But don't forget to leave thorough out-of-office email and voice-mail messages noting how long you'll be gone and the names and contact information of those who are covering for you. In addition, go through your email inbox and delete nonessential messages to free up space for bulky files that may be sent while you're gone.
Finally, set firm boundaries. Request that you either not be contacted during your vacation or only in the event of an emergency. And be disciplined about disconnecting. If you think you'll be tempted to check your email remotely or call into the office for status updates, take a break from your electronic gadgets, too. Remember: To truly derive the benefits of a vacation, you must give yourself permission to simply relax and enjoy yourself.
Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices throughout North America, South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com. For additional workplace articles and podcasts, visit workvine.com.
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