Do you dream of blue oceans, white sandy beaches, friendly locals and an escape from the pressures of life? Spending extended periods of time on a yacht is an experience like no other. Private charters offer a chance to immerse yourself in a unique and wonderful setting so you can experience it all at your own pace. In preparation for your adventure, you may have taken measures to ensure things run smoothly at home, but have you prepared yourself to leave work behind? In this day and age of the Internet, email and social media we can feel pressure to stay connected. It’s making us feel less human. This can be particularly challenging for small business owners or corporate executives with businesses that rely on them for day-to-day decision-making and leadership.
If you typically spend your vacation, stuck behind a laptop or phone, worrying about what is happening back at work, you need to switch off and recharge. You will be better for it and so will your company.
Remind yourself that vacations are important: A common perception is that vacations are unnecessary, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. According to a director at the leadership consultancy firm The Thinking Partnership, holidays “let you decompress, repair and recharge and relax”. This in turn, will help your subconscious with completing routine problem-solving.
There’s nothing to feel guilty about: Just as you are entitled to your income, so you are entitled to the other aspects of a normal workplace, including vacation time. If you hold back from taking leave, then you are actually short-changing yourself. Try and view vacations as a way to make you a better worker, as you will be refreshed and more productive on your return.
Take time to prepare in advance: The best way to switch off from work is to ensure that everything is taken care of prior to your departure. This may include delegating tasks to co-workers, compiling lists of who to contact or what to do in certain situations and tying up any loose ends. A little extra overtime will be worth it if it means no one will bother you while you’re away.
Manage your emails and phone calls: You may feel like checking work emails or a phone message is only a small task, but those intrusions keep you constantly plugged into the office. Instead, set an auto-reply on your emails, so anyone who contacts you will be notified that you are aware and advised to contact one of your colleagues instead. Update your voicemail with a similar message. Ask that only urgent emails and phone messages be passed on, then limit yourself to checking for important messages just once a day.
Allow other people to cover for you: Some people worry that accepting help from co-workers while on vacation will result in their position being viewed as less critical. If this is the case, take a moment to reflect on the times you’ve helped others while they were taking time off. You didn’t take over their job. They’re not going to take over yours. Your colleagues are expecting you to be less available while you’re on vacation, and most will be willing to cover for you if they know they can count on you to return the favour.
Evaluate if work is really the problem: If you’re fully switched off from the office, yet you are still finding it difficult to relax and unwind, then it may be worth evaluating if something else could be the problem. Don’t let work take over your entire life. Take stock of who and what is important in your life and look for areas you can improve in. Don’t be afraid to make the necessary changes if it will lead to a healthier and happier life in the long run.
If you are one who finds it hard to switch off from work and turn off your phone and email, take a charter to a remote place where you’ll be forced to disconnect. Try water sports such as diving, snorkelling or surfing to help you unwind. You’ll be forced to put your phone away. Also, the exercise and tranquillity of the water will help you feel refreshed.
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