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Vacations are meant to relax, recharge and recharge. It's a time when we can take a break from our daily work responsibilities, devote ourselves, our loved ones and what we like to do in our free time. However, it happens that urgent work tasks and a pile of responsibilities can bring us to the point where we start to question whether we deserve a holiday at all.
To help you really enjoy your holiday, here are 7 tried-and-tested tips to avoid the work frenzy before you go on holiday and keep you calm and relaxed when you get back to work.
Don't leave everything to the last minute
The most important thing is quality preparation. Plan your time and prioritize tasks at least two weeks in advance. Make a list of must-do tasks before your departure and complete them gradually. A detailed to-do list and prioritization of activities will help you keep track and minimize stress.
For an even better sense of accomplishment, add checkboxes to your tasks to create a checklist. The visual display of tasks allows you to keep better track of what you've already completed and what's left to do. Plus, checking off tasks with checkboxes gives you a sense of control and reminds you that you're getting closer to completing all your tasks.
If you have someone to delegate to.
Delegating tasks is one of the key steps in easing the workload before going on holiday. Do you have colleagues who have the skills and knowledge to complete some of your tasks? Don't be afraid to ask them for help. If you spread the tasks among several people, it won't take too much of their time and will help you a lot. What's more, you can reciprocate at the earliest opportunity by helping them with something. Or you can also bring them something nice from your holiday.
Create an overview of unfinished tasks
It's very likely that you won't be able to complete all the work you've been allocated or delegate it to colleagues before you go on holiday. Knowing that you'll be out of the process for a week or two and won't remember where you left off can be stressful. This doesn't have to be the case if you create a detailed outline.
As you write the notes for each task, think of your future self, who has just returned from rest mode, and write them as if you were delegating the task to someone else. When you return from vacation, you will thank yourself for it.
Take advantage of technology
Automation or artificial intelligence can also help you avoid stress before and after your holiday. There are plenty of apps and tools on the market to help you streamline your work or free your hands from routine tasks. Find the tool that's right for you and make the most of technology.
Free your hands with automation and artificial intelligence.
Learn to say no
Even a little thing like this can save you a lot of nerves before you go on holiday. If you have a lot of unfinished tasks ahead of you and you are leaving in 2 days, don't promise your colleague that you will help him at the last minute with the documents he needs before tomorrow. Try to advise him on how he can prepare the documents himself or refer him to another colleague. Be aware of your time constraints, stay on top of things and focus on your urgent tasks.
Start lightly
What's the most important thing to do after returning from vacation? Not throwing yourself into all tasks at once. Be considerate of yourself and allow yourself enough time to get back to your normal work pace. On the first day back, take the time to review, read emails and find out what happened during your absence. Then prioritize your tasks and dive into them one at a time. That way, you'll get through your work more efficiently and without unnecessary stress.
Make it enjoyable
If you can, try to avoid meetings where difficult topics are discussed for the first few days after you return from vacation. Devote yourself to work activities that you enjoy doing and don't worry about them being a familiar routine. Take a break and have lunch or coffee with colleagues after work. And especially don't stay at work overtime to catch up on what you can. Remember, you went on holiday to relax and recharge, and you don't want to lose that energy in your first few days at work.
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