I’ll sleep when I’m dead!

“I’ll sleep when I’m dead!”.

This is what I used to say until my body told me the only way it could that I was pushing it too hard, and I burnt out... twice!

I thought I had learnt my lesson, but my partner, who is someone pretty chilled, kept saying “You really don’t know how to relax!” ... Ouch!

So, I decided to raise to the challenge and didn't take my laptop or my coaching books with me on our last holiday to Santorini last October. It felt weird, took some getting used to it, but it did me some good!

I chilled by the pool, went on walks to explore our surroundings, had some lie-ins, and finished my first novel in 5 years!

I came back totally refreshed, with lots of new ideas (it's amazing what your brain can come up with if you just give it some space!).

And for our next family holidays in August, I will be doing the same again!

And here is how I prepare myself and my business before some well-deserved resting time:

1.      Start early!

For me it starts in January when I start the year and I am in planning mood.

I look at the kids’ school holidays and plot them all on my wall planner, clearly highlighted with a green sticker (optional!).

It does not mean that I will go away or even take the time off work each time, but that’s highlighting times of the year when I probably will want to have a looser diary, allowing me the flexibility to make last-minute plans – so no big programme launches or workshops during that time or straight after.

When holiday plans become more certain and I need to book time off, I don’t have to reshuffle too many things.

2.     Share your plans widely

If you have a team, block your diary as early as possible, share a calendar invite with them, so it does not come as a surprise.

I tell my clients and team well in advance when I won’t be available, and we plan our work together accordingly. I also make sure everyone is well briefed and start to ‘cc’ in more people few weeks before my planned leave, so I am not the only one ‘in the know’.

Don’t forget to share a holiday handover note, with a list of work-in-progress activities, with the next steps expected in your absence and who is responsible for it.

This can prevent a few headaches down the line!

3.     Create strong boundaries

If you need to turn down a client request, be straightforward in your response and offer an alternative but know your priorities and learn to say ‘no’.

My recharging time is non-negotiable, and I have never had any issues around this. If I had, I would probably start questioning whether this is the right client for me…

4.    Use OOO and time blocking to your advantage

Ever had that feeling on day 2 after you return from a break, that all the benefits of your rest have already vanished, and your holidays are a mere distant memory?

I have on many occasions but not anymore!

I set up my Out of Office automatic email to continue until lunchtime on my first day back – this way anyone emailing me that morning will understand that I am busy catching up on emails and getting back into work mode.

Before I go, I also block time on that first day to catch up on emails and set up debriefing meetings with my team to get quickly back to speed.

5.    Prepare ahead

I don’t plan any big work activity straight after a holiday, but I might a week or two after. It’s fine as long as you plan well in advance and prepare everything before you go away. This way you have total peace of mind, and you can fully relax during your time off, and things don’t get too crazy when you come back.

6.    Set expectations

Set expectations with everyone at work AND at home!

Set an Out of Office message which says that you are on holiday and that you won’t be reading any emails until your return to work and are contactable again. Or state that you will be having access to emails sporadically or once a day, whichever suits your situation.

If you absolutely do need to do some work while on vacation, make sure you warn the people holidaying with you before you leave, to set the tone and expectations, and to avoid any disappointment or resentment.

7.     Be strong!

If you have a team, leave your business laptop and mobile phone at home. Provide an emergency number, just in case.

Resist the urge to “just read a few emails”. Even if you don’t reply, your mind will go back to work mode instantly and if you are anything like me, it will take a while for you to be ‘present’ again in your holidays.

Complete no-no: “listening in” on a conference call or meeting, or responding to emails and messages (unless they are business critical). Next thing you know, you’ll be exchanging ping pong emails and will struggle to extract yourself from work again.

If you don’t have a team supporting you, turn off your business mobile phone or if you use only one phone, your notifications for work-related activities. Dedicate a time each day to check emails and messages and stick to it! Maybe you are an early riser and can do this before everyone else wakes up. Perhaps you can squeeze half an hour during the kids’ naps or negotiate a daily occurrence with your other half – see above about setting expectations.

Only reply to those that REALLY can’t wait for your return. If in doubt, ask yourself: “Can this wait? If I don’t reply now, will this affect my business income?” If the answer is ‘no’, refrain from engaging.

8.    Prioritise wisely

There is always so much to do as a business owner!

When I am getting a bit frazzled by my to-do list (especially when holidays are looming and I know my time is even more counted), I try to prioritise activities that make a difference to my business. So, I review my list with a sharper lens and remove things that don’t. Simple.

Now, it’s your turn!

Make your holiday plan so you can get some recharging time, free from guilt and unwanted work distractions.

Enjoy your time off!