{"id":312,"date":"2018-05-20T07:01:24","date_gmt":"2018-05-20T11:01:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.joshevilsizor.com\/?p=312"},"modified":"2018-05-20T08:42:19","modified_gmt":"2018-05-20T12:42:19","slug":"how-to-actually-relax-on-your-next-vacation-and-return-to-an-empty-inbox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.joshevilsizor.com\/?p=312","title":{"rendered":"How to Actually Relax on Your Next Vacation (and Return to an Empty Inbox)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re interested four incredibly simple actions that can exponentially increase the quality of all your future vacations, read on. <\/b><\/p>\n

Before we start however, a quick acknowledgement for those not yet aware of the importance of a relaxing and restful time away from work. <\/span><\/p>\n

Bottom line:<\/b> If you don\u2019t disengage from work while you\u2019re on vacation, you\u2019re missing the point. There is a good reason that some of the smartest companies (with lauded culture) now <\/span>require that you take vacation<\/a><\/span>. Further, people that don\u2019t take breaks from work can even <\/span>become a liability<\/a><\/span>. For crying out loud, Henry Ford started <\/span>figuring all of this out<\/a><\/span> almost one hundred years ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anyhow, assuming we can all agree on these three basic things:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Most supervisors are generally reasonable<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. The tremendous <\/span>value of an unplugged, stress-free vacation<\/a><\/span> (i.e. not the one where you\u2019re still working, but from the beach instead of a desk)<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Emails can be re-sent. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    I will show you how simple it is to effectively disengage from work with a simple conversation, out of office message, and some personal courage. <\/span><\/p>\n

    STEP ONE<\/b><\/p>\n

    Have a conversation with your boss before you leave. During this conversation, explain how much you\u2019re looking forward to this time away to recharge and think <\/span>on the business<\/a><\/span> (instead of in it) from a relaxed vantage point. Carefully convey how not stressing about the work that you will be missing will be a major contributor to the stress-free nature of this vacation. Politely ask your boss if it\u2019s OK for you to count on her to either (1) delegate to your co-worker (whom you have conducted a careful hand-off with) or (2) for her to handle all the minor \u201ccrises of the day\u201d that come up while you\u2019re away. Or, worst case, come to an agreement with your boss that if you are absolutely needed, that she will call you and not rely on email.<\/span><\/p>\n

    STEP TWO<\/b><\/p>\n

    Use the following out of office message:<\/span><\/p>\n

    Regretfully, I did not receive the email you just sent to me, nor will I read it upon my return. <\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

    I am currently on vacation and will not be reading any emails received from 5-15 February. If your email requires action or contains important information, I respectfully request you pursue one of the following options:<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n