On the weekend of Labour Day in 2022, I lost my childhood friend and then lost my Aunt 2 days later.
The week after, I realized that I no longer wanted to serve one of my clients in the capacity I had been, so I handed in my resignation.
I had planned to really spend the time going hard on building out the new service offering I have been trying to launch since the beginning of the year.
I grinded hard by training team members, building out systems & automation, and establishing business processes that they could easily adjust to the ongoing growth in all businesses.
Mid-week of the following week just exhausted, mentally emotionally, and physically from…life. I called my friend and we booked a trip to leave on Sunday to Cayo Coco, Cuba.
For anyone that knows me, I am not impulsive, by any means. Any time I had taken off, was never a non-working vacation, I was still plugged in, just not on a schedule.
Can you relate?
I start working through my vacation checklist – and get to “set my out-of-office message for my Above All Admin email”. No biggie, right? Until I open it and see the below (this is the actual screenshot to one of my collaborators):
Yep, I had not set my out of office since 2017, 5 years ago! After going through some choice words in my head….
I broke down crying.
You know when sometimes you do something impulsive and you are looking for affirmation that you did the right thing? Whether it be through people or signs? Well, this stale dated out-of-office message was mine.
I thought about everything I had been through since then. Clearly, I had to be functioning off truly the Grace of God (supernatural). Well, I can happily say that is the past- I went,
I saw, and I conquered.
I realized I cannot be the only one to whom this is happening to.
A new survey commissioned by virtual assistant company Time etc, asked a group of entrepreneurs how many were able to switch off from work completely, without checking in once while taking a vacation 1 week or longer.
The answer: 44% have not taken a vacation where they’ve been able to switch off from work completely in the past year
It can be hard to completely disconnect from work while you’re away, so how can you come back feeling refreshed and rejuvenated?
1. Relaxation
There are many ways to relax on vacation, and it really depends on what works best for you. Some people find that lying on the beach and soaking up the sun is the best way to relax, while others prefer to explore new places and take in all the sights and sounds. Whatever your preference, there are plenty of ways to recharge on vacation.
One way to relax on vacation is to simply take some time for yourself. This can mean taking a few hours each day to read a book, go for a walk, or just sit in silence. If you’re travelling with others, make sure to schedule some alone time into your itinerary so that you can recharge without feeling like you’re missing out on anything.
Another great way to relax on vacation is to get massages or spa treatments. This is a great way to pamper yourself and unwind from all the stresses of daily life. If you’re travelling on a budget, there are often cheaper options available at local businesses rather than at luxury resorts.
Finally, one of the best ways to recharge on vacation is simply by disconnecting from technology. This means putting away your phone, laptop, and any other devices that might be distracting you from enjoying your surroundings. Take this opportunity to really be present in the moment and savour your time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
When you book a last-minute vacation, it can often be a spontaneous decision. This means that you may not have had time to plan and prepare for the trip as much as you would have liked. However, this can actually be a good thing. It can lead to a more relaxed and carefree attitude while on vacation, which can be very beneficial for your mental and physical health.
Spontaneous decisions often lead to less stress and anxiety because you haven’t had time to overthink things. This can help you to relax and enjoy your vacation more. It’s also been shown that vacations can help reduce stress levels, improve sleep quality, and boost overall happiness levels. So if you’re looking for a way to relax and rejuvenate, booking a last-minute vacation could be the perfect solution!
2. Adventure
There are many ways to find adventure while on vacation. One way is to go on hikes and explore new trails. Another way is to try new activities that you haven’t done before, such as zip-lining or whitewater rafting. You can also visit new places that you’ve never been to before. Whatever you do, make sure that you’re getting outside of your comfort zone and doing something new and exciting. This will help you to recharge and have a great time on your vacation.
3. Education
One of the best ways to recharge on vacation is to use some of that time for educational purposes. Learning something new can be a great way to relax and rejuvenate, and it can also help you come back from vacation feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever challenges await you.
There are plenty of ways to incorporate education into your vacation. If you’re travelling to a new place, take some time to learn about the history and culture of your destination. Visit museums, go on guided tours, and read up on the local customs before you go. This will help you make the most of your trip and ensure that you have a deeper understanding and appreciation for what you’re seeing.
If learning about history isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other options for educational vacations. Consider taking a cooking class in Italy or learning how to surf in Hawaii. You could also sign up for a wine-tasting course in Napa Valley or take a painting class in Provence. No matter what interests you, there’s sure to be an educational vacation that’s perfect for you.
4. Culinary
There is nothing like good food to help you relax and recharge on vacation. Trying new dishes and flavours can be a great way to explore a new place, and it can also be a fun way to bond with your travel companions.
Even if you are as picky as I am, whether you are sampling street food, dining in a Michelin-starred restaurant, booking an a-la-carte, savouring some delicious local cuisine is a great way to recharge on vacation.
5. Find something memorable.
There is no surefire answer, but some tips for finding something memorable to do on vacation are:
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Talk to locals and get recommendations. They often know of great hidden gems.
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Do some research ahead of time. Read travel blogs, articles, and reviews to get ideas.
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Step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Don’t be afraid.
6. Most important: Have Fun!
BONUS: How can you avoid feeling burned out when you return from vacation?
After an amazing and relaxing vacation, it’s common to feel a bit burned out when you return to the grind. You may have trouble getting back into the swing of things and find yourself feeling exhausted.
But there are some ways that you can avoid this feeling of burnout and actually make the most of your post-vacation time! By following these simple tips, you can prolong that relaxed feeling and get back into gear without too much stress.
So, if you’re looking for ways to avoid feeling burned out when you return from vacation, read on!
1. Have a plan for when you return to work
Having a plan for returning to work can help make the most of your time off work by helping you make the most of your time and resources. By having a plan in place, you are able to assess how well things are going on a regular basis and adjust accordingly. This includes setting goals, taking stock of how much time you’re investing in each area, and reviewing past performance to see what works best for you. Additionally, having a plan will allow you to take advantage of any opportunities that come up during your time off work while still being able to focus on what’s truly important in life. Having this type of system in place will ensure that when it’s time to return back to work, all aspects are covered so there are no surprises or missed opportunities along the way.
2. Don’t try to do too much when you first get back
3. Ease back into your normal routine
4. Catch up on sleep and relaxation
It can be difficult to catch up on sleep and relaxation after returning from vacation. You may feel like you need to catch up on work, or you may be jet-lagged. There are a few things you can do to avoid feeling burned out when you return from vacation:
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Get plenty of sleep before your trip: This will help you adjust to the time change and reduce jet lag.
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Take advantage of downtime: If you have a long flight, use the time to rest and relax. If you have free time during your trip, take a nap or read a book.
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Don’t overdo it: Avoid packing your schedule too full. Leave some free time each day so that you can relax and enjoy your surroundings.
5. Take some time for yourself
It can be difficult to relax and recharge after a vacation, especially if you feel like you didn’t have enough time for yourself. To avoid feeling burned out, it’s important to take some time for yourself before returning to work or your usual routine. There are a few things you can do to make sure you take some time for yourself:
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Schedule some downtime: Make sure to schedule some time in your calendar for relaxation and fun. This could be an afternoon at the park, a movie night with friends, or just some alone time to read or take a bath.
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Set boundaries: When you’re on vacation, it’s easy to let work creep into your free time. To avoid this, set boundaries with your employer or clients before you leave. Let them know what days and times you’ll be unavailable, and stick to it!
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Disconnect from technology: One of the best ways to relax is by disconnecting from technology. If possible, leave your laptop and phone at home when you go on vacation. If not, make sure to limit your use of these devices while you’re away.
6. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself
It can be tough to readjust to everyday life after an amazing vacation. You may have had such a great time that the thought of returning to work or school can be daunting. Or, you may feel like you need a vacation from your vacation!
Here are some tips on how to manage expectations and avoid feeling burned out when returning from vacation:
1. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
2. Take some time for yourself before getting back into the swing of things.
3. Talk to your boss or teacher about your trip and see if there’s any flexibility in terms of deadlines or assignments.
4. Don’t try to do everything at once – ease back into your normal routine gradually.
5. Make sure to schedule some fun activities into your post-vacation life so you have something to look forward to!
If you want to learn more about how I use my gift to help my clients to be in the position to enjoy their time off, whether it 1 day or longer, Book an Operations consultation with me and let’s chat about it!
