It's been far too long since your last vacation, but finally, you've made it.
You sit down for your first breakfast, free from the grind and eager to plan the day.
Turning to your significant other, you ask, "What do you feel like doing today?" The conversation begins to bloom with possibilities.
But then, your phone buzzes. You try to ignore it, determined to stay present. Yet, as the discussion unfolds, another alert: your focus splits. "It's nothing," you tell yourself, even as a sinking feeling tells you otherwise.
Day fucking one, and it's already begun.
You make a conscious effort to shift to a more positive mindset, apologizing for your distraction: "I'm sorry. Could you repeat that?" Your partner, slightly frustrated, obliges.
Another buzz—this time a text that's hard to ignore: "I know you're on vacation, but call me when you have a minute." You feel your partner's eyes on you as you respond, "Just give me a minute to sort this out, and then I'm all yours for the rest of the day."
But deep down, you both know that's a lie because, as a small business owner, you never seem to get a real vacation.
Sound familiar Reader ?
I started my working life as an hourly employee. I punched a clock at the start and end of my day, and when I went on vacation, I was "off the clock" until I returned. I got 100% of my vacation 100% of the time.
Then I became a manager, and suddenly vacation time disappeared. I mean, you got vacation, but you never GOT vacation, if you know what I mean.
Time to re-write those rules!
Ever since, I have been training myself, my teams and many others on how to get a real vacation.
I firmly believe that stepping away, whether for a vacation, a reset, or just a change of scenery, is critical for maintaining our sanity and zest for life and business.
This week, let's break down what you need to set up for a real vacation. Next week, I'll share a success story about a client who managed to enjoy a completely stress-free vacation.
Here's a vacation prep cheat sheet.
- Timing: Start planning 1-3 months in advance, depending on the training your team needs.
- Mindset: Embrace that your well-being is a priority, not a privilege. Your team is capable of more; they always are - they can be trained. Make it non-negotiable; people will find a way when no other option exists.
- Planning and Training: Train your team to manage in your absence. Invest time now to save more later. Walk them through potential scenarios to build their confidence.
- Tactical: Establish clear boundaries and communication guidelines for while you’re away. Develop 'if-then' plans to empower your team to handle situations without you.
- Authority: Allow your team decision-making power within set limits. Here’s a simple rule of three to guide them: Is it safe? Is it good for the customer? Is it good for the company? If yes, they should go ahead with it.
The biggest oversight I see in leadership is failing to delegate authority effectively. This underutilization leads to dependency and hinders your team's ability to act independently.
This outline is your starting point... and if it seems daunting, remember, I've been there and done it with various teams and clients.
Where there's a will, there's a way.
Need more personalized help? Book a consultation. Otherwise, use this guide to discover opportunities to improve your vacation planning.
Michelle
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