Take a break: five ways to do it better

One of the most stressful experiences For most business owners is getting ready to go away on a holiday or even a work trip. Workload goes through the roof, blood pressure pops and there is often a hint of blind panic as we try madly to get everything done before we get on that plane, train or automobile. This can really take the pleasure out of going away. Holidays should be easy to take. Based on my own experiences and misadventures, I’ve uncovered a few simple ways to make each getaway easier to manage, and therefore more relaxing. 

    Yes it’s a little naughty, but after spending many years travelling for work and battling ridiculous last-minute panic (mostly my own), I learned a long time ago to tell a white lie about my departure and return dates. Now I simply add a day either side of the actual dates so I can have one whole day up my sleeve to get everything done before I go, and another to ease in gently before I return to the coalface.

 

I always make a point of contacting my main clients three to four days before I go away to make sure I have everything done, and reiterate that I’ll be away. It works a treat! These calls provide a form of closure, and also open up the possibility of clarifying which tasks can wait until I get back. Clear communication is critical, and it is nice to leave knowing that all is well with your main customers. Much better than them saying they didn’t know you were going away, and then finding someone else to do the job in your absence. 

 

The whole point of a holiday, for me, is to recharge and relax. So it certainly helps if I’m relaxed when I leave, rather than in a manic state. I suggest you just accept you can only get so much done and, really, what’s the worst that can happen while you’re away? (Remembering that 99 per cent of all the things we worry about never eventuate!)

 

I aways make sure I empower the people I’m leaving behind. Before I jet off, I think about anything that could go wrong, and about what it will take to resolve it. Then I talk this through with whoever I’m leaving in charge. If you don’t have staff members, talk it through with the people who these issues will affect, such as customers or suppliers. In other words, have a plan of attack and empower people to solve potential problems for you.

 

It’s important that anyone who tries to contact you while you’re on holidays is told that you’re away. Put a note on your email signature, on your letters, on your voicemail and on your forehead letting people know you are going AWOL. Let them know when you are leaving, remembering to use your white lie date. You can never over communicate this issue, and the more often you mention your departure the easier it will be to take off and leave thoughts of work behind.

Now, shut down the computer, put away those files, lock up the office, turn off the mobile, pick up a trashy novel, pour yourself a glass of wine, and breathe. 

There. Now doesn’t that feel a lot better already.