BROADCASTS.com

Published: Sept. 15, 2020, 1:30 p.m.

Vacation is important for relaxation and connection, even in times of COVID. Our goal is to encourage you to take vacation, especially during this strange and difficult period.

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It takes trust and confidence to take time away from your desk, but we want you to unplug and take vacation, even if it means you aren\u2019t leaving your house.

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Plan vacation around times when your job/group aren\u2019t busy so you don\u2019t end up having to log on. For example, if you\u2019re in sales, plan it for the 1st week of the quarter, not the last.

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If you have a vacation planned before you start a new job, let them know in the offer process.

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Don\u2019t plan a new vacation in the first 3-6 months in your job. When you\u2019re new, ask your boss or colleague when a good time is to take vacation.

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Plan what you\u2019re going to do and block your calendar. ESPECIALLY for a staycation.

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Don\u2019t check email and act as if you\u2019re in a place without internet access. Don\u2019t try to vacation around meetings.

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Setting boundaries around vacation time is important, but managing calendars are critical. Clear your calendar, declining or rescheduling meetings for when you are gone.

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Managers- TAKE YOUR VACATION. Your employees are watching, and if they don\u2019t see you take vacation, they\u2019ll think they can\u2019t. Lead by example.

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Hand off your stuff while you\u2019re out. Ask someone you trust to cover for you. The more thorough you are, the less likelihood you will get called while they\u2019re out.

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When you run a business, it\u2019s very hard to fully unplug. You can do some things like having a good out of office saying when you\u2019re out and when you\u2019ll check email and respond to urgent emails.

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Liz checks emails twice a day to block, tackle and delegate, but does not do any projects while on vacation. Checking emails allows her to relax and know that her business is in good shape.

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Turn off Slack and all communication tools in vacation mode. Our rule: phones are only for camera use and communication with people who you are with.

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Set expectations for anyone you think may need you.

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Coming back: keep your vacation mojo by cleaning up your inbox before your first day back or blocking the 1st half day, prioritizing important projects and making your to-do list.

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Read emails top down to know what\u2019s been handled. Remember that most of the emails will have been handled by the person covering for you, so look at them as an FYI.

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Have a meeting first thing to talk with the person covering for you to get questions answered about what you missed. When you\u2019re covering for someone, at the end of their vacation time, send a \u201cHere\u2019s What you Missed\u201d email to catch them up quickly.

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Vacations are important to fill your tank, take care of yourself, set example for others around you, and connect with your loved ones.

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You\u2019re taking time off for you, and no matter where you go, use the time to rejuvinate and reenergize, even if it\u2019s in la backyard.