It doesn’t matter how you like to relax, a vacation can help you rest up and come back to your work with a renewed vigor. From all-inclusive resorts to RVing through New Mexico to staying in a quaint bed and breakfast, a little time away is the best way to reconnect with family and get away from the stress that plagues you during the workweek.
That is, as long as you can actually leave your work behind.
Unfortunately, many people spend time during their vacation working on projects, answering emails, and calling the office. Don’t be one of those people!
Here are four ways you can wrap things up so you can enjoy every minute of your vacation.
Take Care of Your Email
Even when you’re fully immersed in work, your email can give you a headache. There are many ways to make your email better, and it wouldn’t hurt to do a few before you go on vacation. However, some of the best ways to deal with your email before you leave include:
- Cleaning out your inbox by deleting unwanted and unneeded emails
- Respond to any emails that can’t wait until after you get back
- Set up an out-of-office reply that includes contact information for another member of your team
Clean Your Work Area
The only thing worse than coming back to an inbox full of emails that demand a response is dealing with a desk that’s overflowing with paper and other work-related items. Before you take off for your vacation, do a deep clean.
Tidy everything on your desk and get rid of stuff you don’t need. Create an inbox and label it so anything that gets dropped off on your desk while you’re gone can be placed inside.
Wrap Things up and Get a Head Start
You don’t want any lingering projects hanging over your head when you leave, so make sure you plan a few weeks in advance to wrap things up.
Although you may be tempted to wait until you return to start your next project, procrastination can ultimately make things harder for you when you come back. Instead of sitting and waiting out the clock on your last day before break, get a head start on projects that are coming up. It’ll make your return to the office easier, and it’ll make you feel accomplished when you leave.
Prepare for Your Return
Don’t let anything take you by surprise when you return to the office. The last thing you want to do is be bombarded with a meeting the second you step foot in the door when you had planned on starting another project. Take a look at your calendar and make sure you know what’s coming up when you return.
Don’t check your email and wrap up projects on the road when you don’t have to! Take back your vacation by following these tips and you can soak up your week off without wasting a single thought on work.
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