Here are some tips on responsibly disconnecting from work when you go on vacation this summer:

Set expectations before you go on vacation by letting your co-workers know you'll be unavailable – that way they'll be less inclined to contact you while you're away.
Send a calendar invite to your superiors so they have a calendar reminder indicating the days you're going to be out.
Before leaving, make a checklist of things you need to do once you get back from vacation. After being gone for a week, it's easy to forget what open tasks you still have, so a checklist makes it easy to return to your routine smoothly.
Make sure you appoint a back-up person who can complete your tasks while you're away.
Set up your out-of-office alert on your email, and provide the name and contact info for your back-up.
Create a customized voicemail indicating you're on vacation and who to contact in your absence.
If you're in the middle of working with a client on something, inform them that you're going on vacation and let them know who can help them while you're away.
Avoid packing your work devices.
Doing an outdoor activity for the day? Leave your cell behind.
Capture less and experience more. This means limiting your perfect snaps for Instagram. Sounds crazy, right? While you're busy staring at your phone screen trying to capture that beautiful sunset, you're missing the actual sunset.
If you have to work while on vacation, only do so during certain hours of the day so you and your family and/or friends can plan activities around your schedule.

Enjoy your summer vacations, and if you have a pointer to share on how to responsibly disconnect while on vacation, email me at the address below.

Instant Insights /

The Power of Disconnecting While Vacationing