Different people have different habits
When my clients go on vacation, I strongly encourage them to do everything in their power to allow them to enjoy their vacation and be fully present with their loved ones. Some higher ed. leaders like to check their email once a day, just to see if anything urgent needs their attention. Others unplug and often have to deal with unwanted consequences when they return to work. And some are so addicted to their phones that they continue to work a few hours every day, not knowing how to break the habit of working non-stop, even if they are on a beach in Hawaii. I don’t think there is one approach that is best for everyone, but I invite you to be intentional about what you want to do, and to reflect on the following steps you could take before leaving.
1. Get an update from everyone
At least a week or two before you leave, ask all of your direct reports to give you an update on all important projects and make sure they are on top of things. If they are falling behind on deadlines, or someone is not cooperating, or there are difficulties, you want to know and fix it before you leave, to avoid delays or interruptions when you’re with your loved ones.
2. Let people know when you will be away
It seems obvious, but it’s not always done. Please make sure that those who rely on you know in advance when you will be unavailable, so that they can plan ahead. It will also reduce emails from people who would like to communicate with you about something that is not urgent and won’t mind waiting for your return to contact you.
3. Set expectations and guidelines
I wish I could say “People will instinctively know if the question they want to ask you can wait for your return or if they need to reach you while you’re on vacation” but it’s not true. Most individuals will decide based on how considerate or self-centered they are. For example, people who need a lot of attention or who are only taking their own needs into consideration will bug you when you are on vacation for anything that’s on their mind. On the opposite side of the spectrum, those who are highly respectful and considerate may hold back even when there is a crisis that you would like to be made aware of immediately. Therefore, it is essential for you to communicate what should wait for your return, what warrants an email or a call when you are away, and what can be directed to someone else in advance (and who that person is).
4. Avoid scheduling too many meetings before you leave and when you return
The week before you leave, you will need time to prepare so avoid all non-essential meetings. Be protective of your time so that you can prioritize the way you want, rather than have to respond to other people’s requests. Please remember that it’s impossible for others to know everything you have on your plate and to know how you “should” prioritize. When it comes to your calendar and your commitments, you have to be in charge and take full responsibility. Also, block off time on your calendar when you return to catch up, to avoid getting overwhelmed.
5. Be intentional about your vacation
Sometimes higher ed. leaders tell me “Being away from campus will be an excellent opportunity to reflect on our new mission, vision, goals, and I’ll draft the new strategic plan.” If that’s what’s best for you, I won’t stop you. It’s possible that simply being away will re-energize you and you may feel inspired. However, you may be on vacation with your family or friends and really want to forget about work and be fully present. The choice is yours. I am asking you to be intentional because the worst thing you could do would be to plan to work, but not follow-through, and feel guilty the entire time. So, make sure you know what your intention is, and your choices and actions are aligned with it. For example, if it’s family time, really connect with your family. If it’s creative time, spend some time alone to express your creativity, such as setting a vision of success for the next academic year.
6. Decide what works for you
Choose what you are going to do and create an environment or structure to support it. For example, if you like to wake up early, work for an hour, then enjoy the rest of your day, do that! If you enjoy being and nature, when you go hiking, leave your phone in your pocket or your bag. If you want to unplug completely, make sure your e-mail auto-responder mentions when people can expect a response from you. You can control everything but if you follow most of these steps, I promise you there will be fewer crises and issues than usual. Don’t underestimate the power of being proactive and planning before you leave.
Bottom line
Isn’t it interesting how the advice I share about preparing to go on vacation is so similar to what I would recommend in most situations? It’s essentially about being highly intentional, proactive, organized, and following-through, while having absolute clarity on your priorities so that you can make good decisions. That’s the key to everything you do. If you haven’t developed a habit of thinking this way, I highly encourage you to work with me one-on-one to create the structure and work habits that will empower you to be even more effective and productive at work, without sacrificing your personal life. Click here to schedule a complimentary call with me and discuss how we can work together towards your goals.
About the author: Dr. Audrey Reille has empowered thousands of professionals through one-on-one coaching, group coaching, speaking engagements, and online courses. Audrey is the go-to executive coach for leaders in higher education administration. She empowers them to thrive by improving communication, reducing stress, optimizing strategies, improving professional relationships, and developing a strong and empowered mindset.