3 Strategies to Avoid Vacation Anxiety

Aug. 6, 2013 - PRLog -- “Dr. Joey,” she asked. “Why is it to be gone on vacation for one week, I have to do two extra weeks of work? One before I leave, and the other when I get back?” 

Have you ever wondered that?

Sure seems that way, doesn’t it?

Here are 3 Strategies to Avoid Vacation Anxiety:

Describe Status

Have a meeting with yourself and describe the status of each of the projects receiving your primary attention currently. How far along are you? Where are you on the project timeline? Will any status reports require filing while you’re gone? What must you accomplish before you leave? 

By describing the status of each project, you clearly detail expectations. This clarity focuses your mind to specifically address relevant matters, a cognitive function. Such mental processing keeps at arms-length the emotive “vacation anxiety” which will sabotage your productivity the week before you leave.

Once you describe the project statuses, update your coworker and/or supervisor with this information. This proactive approach calms any concerns they may have and, if anyone is to cover your position, offers them all of the information they require to Work Positive. 

Define “Emergency”

By describing the project statuses and sharing the information, you very likely eliminate any “emergency” communications while you’re on vacation.

However, to insure you truly leave town physically and mentally, define “emergency” when you meet with your coworker and/or supervisor. Ask questions like, “Now what have we yet to discuss that could possibly arise while I’m gone?” and “Any potential emergencies come to mind?”

By doing this, you avoid a frantic call asking, “Where are the coffee filters?”

Well, even if someone else is in charge of the coffee filters, you understand.

Define “emergency” with them.

Delineate Re-Entry

Work goes on while you’re gone. Just because you clean your desk before you leave doesn’t insure it will remain so.

On one level, it’s comforting to be missed for your unique contributions you bring to the team. 

On another level, “vacation anxiety” can creep into your head as you travel back home. You imagine everything that could possibly have gone wrong while you were away. Your racing thoughts keep you awake on Sunday night while anticipating Monday morning.

Before you leave for vacation, delineate your re-entry process. Remember those projects that you described their status? Schedule pick-up points for your week back.

Also, that meeting you had with your coworker and/or supervisor before leaving? Schedule a status update meeting when you return, preferably early Monday. Such information is vital for your secure re-entry and a Work Positive week.

Describe status, define “emergency,” and delineate re-entry to avoid vacation anxiety and Work Positive!