Make the Most of Your Time Off

The holidays are here and many of us are looking forward to a little break from the daily grind. If you're like most folks during the holiday season, you're working hard to be able to have some quality time off. However, spending your days glued to your Blackberry and laptop can make a vacation seem like work. Here are some tips for making the most of your time off:

What to Do

It's totally common for people like us to feel lost when we have time off. We're so used to being busy eight hours a day and serving as the go-to gal for the entire office that hanging out on the couch seems like a waste of time. It may be, but there are tons of other things to do. You shouldn't need an excuse to catch up with family, but the holidays are the perfect time to do so. Enjoy some shopping with your mom and sister. Go see your nephew's hockey game. Catch up on doctor's appointments, sleep or chat on the phone with an old friend. Use this time to do what you wouldn't do on any normal work day.

Disconnect

I have as much trouble disconnecting from work when I'm on vacation as the next girl. But, I know that it's a vital part of enjoying myself during my time off. It doesn't matter if it's a paid holiday or sabbatical, keeping your distance from work is essential in creating a fun and relaxing atmosphere for you and your family. Nobody likes to feel that they have to fight for your attention, so here are a few ways to keep work disconnected from your vacation:

• Auto-respond. It's so easy to check emails with smart phones and portable computers, but try to resist the urge. Believe it or not, the company will survive for a few days without you there. If you're concerned that things may not get taken care of in your absence, create an auto-respond message to be sent to anyone who sends you an email. Explain that you will be out of the office for a given period of time and where they should direct any urgent questions or issues.
• Let people know. There's nothing wrong with letting others know that you will not be available for contact during your time off unless it's an emergency.
• Leave your messages alone. If you're like me, your cell phone is your business phone. It's tempting to check every message that comes in, but if you're on vacation, you're NOT working. Avoid checking your voicemail. Whatever the issue is will still be there when you get back. If you absolutely must keep tabs on your messages, check them once a day, not several times throughout the day.
• Don't touch that keyboard! I don't know how I could live without my computer; personally or professionally. However, I certainly make it a point to avoid it at all costs during my time off. As soon as I turn that thing on, I'm lured in by something that needs to be done right away or something that will "just take a minute." If possible, leave the computer alone altogether.

It's not easy to shut the "all business all the time" side of us off. But, if you don't, you'll notice that your vacations aren't refreshing at all. You need this time to recharge your business batteries and focus a little on your personal needs. Enjoy your family, food and a little recreation to truly appreciate the holidays.