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t should be a smooth and simple transition, but it often ends up being a period of even more stress and work. Getting everything sorted out at work before going on vacation can be highly exhausting - which is also why it's so important to prepare for your time off work well in advance. Scheduling in advance is the key to making the most of your vacation, making sure you rest properly and have no professional worries.
Today we share with you seven tips that we consider essential to plan your vacation in advance, so you're able to completely “turn off” and restore your energy.
1. Book your time off in advance
This is the first thing to do. The best thing you can do is not to book your holidays in the team calendar at the last minute. This way, you will have time to define with the team the best moment to be off and, if necessary, to organise yourself with your colleagues, so that they do not book the same period of absence.
Once you have your vacation approved, it will also be easier to start planning your time away, both at work and in the private sphere, choosing if you are going to travel, what you are going to do, the dates, the budget you will need, and so on.
2. Provide the necessary information
A few days before you go on vacation, inform your co-workers, clients and anyone you think you should inform about the period in which you will be away. Clarify whether or not they'll be able to reach you, and give the details of an alternative contact, who they can talk to if they need any information or help.
And, of course, don't forget to schedule an out-of-office in your email with the information you consider relevant, so that the work continues to flow without barriers and people expect some delay in responding.
3. Delegate tasks
This is perhaps the main step to take. Before you leave, update the status of each project you are involved in, making it clear – and preferably in writing – what has been done and what's pending, with the deadlines for each task. Prepare a list of necessary contacts for projects that need to continue moving forward, as well as important dates for their execution. Make sure you also delegate tasks that are under your responsibility, drawing up a solution plan for different scenarios.
4. Prioritise tasks
In the days or weeks leading up to your vacation, it's a good idea to start focusing on those tasks or projects that you need to ensure are completed by the start of your time off. So set priorities, set deadlines on a calendar and set small daily goals to make sure you don't leave any loose ends.
5. Hit the breaks before your holiday
Consider the period before your vacation as a kind of preparation for you time off. That is, avoid completely "disconnecting" overnight, which, for some people, is a difficult task. If that's your case, try to progressively hit the breaks days before you go on vacation.
6. Choose to automate
Take the opportunity to automate everything you can. You can schedule important emails or use virtual assistants for certain tasks that take up too much work time and can easily be automated.
7. Use mental health apps
If you're having a hard time managing work and scheduling vacations, and you feel that this is having a negative impact on your well-being, take a deep breath and stop. Try installing an app that teaches strategies to deal with stress and anxiety. Here you can read about seven mental health apps that might be useful for you.
That's all. Enjoy your holidays!
