Kick Email to the Curb Over Spring Break

It’s about that time again. Spring Break is just around the corner for some and so are those potentially dreaded work emails while you’re supposed to be on vacation.  

Whether you’re jetting off with your kids, taking a break from college to hang out with friends, or sticking close to home and plan to catch up on your favorite Netflix series during your time off – everyone deserves the opportunity to disconnect from email.

So why not leave email at the office? Because it’s hard. Like many of you, I used to be glued to my phone while on vacation – but not anymore. As hard as it was to make the transition, I now disconnect 100%.

You might be wondering how I do it – I’ll give you the tricks below. But first, I have to tell a story. This photo comes from Krista Watson (@watson_krista), who attended a recent speaking engagement I did. She shared with me over Twitter that she’s doing her best to disconnect during her spring break, as challenging as it may be. This is what I like to see! Hats off to you Krista, before you know it, email free vacations will be a seamless effort. 

Adjust your mindset.

Going into your vacation, plan to not access email, and not engage with work. Let’s face it: If your vacation spot didn’t have email access, you’d not only survive, but you’d pretty quickly adapt and embrace your badly-needed vacation.

Plan ahead.

Think of all the projects you’re working on and what’s coming down the pipe and work to get ahead so you can get done what you need to before you head out.

Prepare clients, colleagues and employees. 

Before you leave, tell people that you won’t be available (and give them alternative contacts) and that you are looking forward to a vacation to recharge. We teach others how to treat us, and setting expectations up front will help you unplug guilt-free.

Most problems work themselves out.

Think about those times when you’re not available during working hours. Most often, work problems get figured out without your intervention.

Be “present” for the right people.

Being present in person and through technology is important for our colleagues when we’re at work. It’s just as important to be present for ourselves and our families when we’re on vacation. Work can wait a week.

Everyone needs time off. 

It’s how we recharge, reconnect with what matters, and feel re-energized to be our best. Don’t waste precious time by turning your vacation into a “workcation.”

You may be thinking that this sounds tough. It is. But the more we set up our teams and colleagues to be successful without us, the better we become, our colleagues become empowered, and we’re able to get some necessary R&R.

On top of it all, it’ll help us be more productive once we return to the office.