Don’t do it! Well that is my opinion. Vacation is all about getting away from work. So why do so many people take their laptop, or read their work emails while they are away? My vacation experience has always been better when I did not stay in contact with my work.
Perhaps you are like me, and you scramble to finish projects and tasks before you leave. It creates a little bit of stress, but don’t let that entice you into taking work with you. Your vacation provides a perfect opportunity to get away from emails and projects.
You can have a productive and relaxing vacation with just a little bit of preparation.
1) Plan time for thinking. A new environment and a bit of relaxation will provide an opportunity to receive new and fresh ideas. Take an empty journal and capture your thoughts. Find a beach chair, a park bench, or a comfortable sofa to take some time just thinking.
2) Plan time for reflection. A vacation is also a great time to reflect on past successes and current challenges. Being in a relaxed frame of mind will provide an opportunity to see the past in a new light.
3) Re-energize your attitude and perspective. Many people talk about recharging their batteries when they are on vacation. For me it is not so much about energy as it is about resetting my attitude, having a chance to see things from a bigger perspective. When you re-energize you can let your mind take you to a new level of performance.
I hope you have enjoyed, or getting ready to enjoy, your summer vacation. I am looking forward to setting my mind free for a few days!