Although the idea of going on holiday is to take a break from the rigours of work, some jobs simply don’t allow for a total and complete separation. And then there are some people who have the type of personality that needs to work at all times. For those who just can’t leave work behind, working while on vacation isn’t always a bad thing, as long as you know how to balance the time you have. Here are some tips to help you work while on vacation without driving yourself, or your loved ones, crazy.
Set expectations. Prior to leaving on holiday, make your team and those you work with regularly aware of your plans. Inform them of your vacation dates and communicate how available (or not) you will be while away, including which modes of contact can be used. Make sure those who you will rely on to offer coverage understand what may be asked of them in your absence and that they are aware of any outstanding projects or tasks that may need attention.
Set aside separate, non-obtrusive time for work. Even if you must work during your holiday, you want to make sure that you enjoy your vacation as much as possible. In order to maximise your time away from the office, schedule a specific time to get work done so that it won’t interfere with your holiday activities. By checking in on your emails and other work-related items only at specific times of the day, you are allowing yourself to commit to the vacation for the majority of the day. Depending on the time zone differences, choose either first thing in the morning before you head out for vacation activities or after returning from a full day’s excursion, allowing you to fully engage in work and your holiday without the distraction of the other.
Have the right equipment with you. You want to make sure that when you work while on vacation, you are making the most of your time. You want to log on, get your work done as efficiently as possible, and then log off to enjoy your holiday. Ensure you are the most effective by having all the necessary equipment you need for maximum productivity. Bring a wireless mouse with you so that you won’t be hindered by using a tiny trackpad. Make sure you have a backup access to the internet in case you find yourself somewhere without a reliable connection. And don’t forget to pack your power supply cable. You don’t want to be caught with a dead and useless laptop.
Stick to housekeeping. Avoid getting into high-level, multifaceted tasks while you’re on vacation. Instead, focus your energies on checking and responding to urgent emails, delegating tasks whenever possible. If someone emails with a new request or project, remind them that you are currently out of the office and ask if it can wait until you get back or if there might be someone else who on your team who can help in the meantime.
Give someone else permission to unplug you. We know all too well that sometimes work can consume our time; one thing leads to another to another. You want to make sure you don’t get sucked into this wormhole on vacation, especially if you have the tendency to work yourself to death. Give someone you trust permission to cut you off from work when they see you slipping
into a state of aggravation or if you’ve been working too long in one sitting. Have them give you a 5-minute warning before forcing you, in whatever means you both deem appropriate, to stop working. Agree on the terms together and stick to the plan.
In the end, it all comes down to you. You’ve decided to take vacation from work so make the most of your hard-earned time off. If you absolutely must work while on holiday, follow these tips to make sure that you work as efficiently and as effectively as possible so that you can enjoy yourself too.
