Why You Don't Need That Vacation

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By Susan Battley

With the economic crisis and challenges we're currently facing, it's all too easy to come up with reasons why you don't need to take a break from work:

You think you're indispensable. No one can fill your shoes, or hold down the fort in your absence. Even with all the available technologies that can keep you in touch with the office - and them with you - your physical presence is essential to keep disaster and mayhem from occurring.
Fresh ideas and perspective are immaterial to your ongoing success. Who needs a refresher period to spark creativity when you can bask in the comfort of same-old, stale thinking?
Others might slack off in your absence. You wouldn't want to be a role model for anything other than a strong work ethic.
You have no personal life. Workaholism is a strategy for filling a void or avoiding challenges or dysfunctions in the rest of your life.

I could go on, but I think you get my point.

Just as athletes need to alternate performance with rest periods for optimum results, smart professionals realize that vacations are critical to maintaining their competitive and creative edge at work.

The alternative is a loser's game, maybe not in the short-term, but definitely in the long run: burnout, subpar decision quality, and decreased innovation and motivation. Don't delude yourself into thinking otherwise.

Instead, consider these practical suggestions.

Five Powerful Vacation Tips

1. Disconnect "To" Something, Not "From" Something. Apply the principles of attraction to vacation planning. Select a locale or activity that has real interest for you: Strong attraction neutralizes work distraction. Don't settle for what your partner or other family members want to do.

2. Consider Micro-Vacations. Many of my clients are more comfortable taking a day or two off here and there rather than chunking their vacation time into longer periods. They feel more in control, and therefore are able to relax and really refresh.

3. Piggyback Vacation on Business Travel. Add a few days of R&R to business trips - with or without family members. This tactic can be very attractive in terms of experiencing or previewing new holiday locales. (I do this myself when possible.)

4. Use Technology Wisely. If you must stay connected to the office, set aside certain times of the day to do so. For example, it can be much less stressful to review emails while on vacation, than knowing you will return to an inbox with hundreds or thousands of messages waiting for you.

5. Schedule a "Bridge" Work Day. Give yourself a day to "sneak" back to work before your official return date. This will allow you to get caught up before the usual work demands hit your calendar. Some do this by coming in on the weekend; others slip into their office the day before their official return and keep their door closed.

Vacations allow you to refresh and reflect. Otherwise, you're simply not bringing your best self to work.

Copyright © Susan Battley, PsyD, PhD. All rights reserved.

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