Ah, summer. That glorious season of hammocks, lightning bugs and porch swings. The season of ice cream cones and lazy days, of tandem bicycles and long walks down sunny dirt roads.
No, wait, that’s not summer, that’s a lemonade commercial.
For most of us, summer doesn’t provide much of a change in our routine. The days are longer and there are a few more hours for play, but back in the office we have the same level of responsibilities and the same ever-increasing workload. That’s why, if you’re one of the lucky ones taking some time off this summer, it’s even more important to make the most of it. Here are a few tips to help you set up your email and calendar apps and make a clean break from the office, no matter how busy your work life is.
- DO leave an Out of Office message – and make it a good one. It may seem like a no brainer, but not everyone takes the time to leave a detailed away message; and that often leaves behind a lot of messes. Keep it clear and concise, listing the dates you’ll be out of the office, whether or not you’ll be responding to calls or emails, and whom to contact in your absence (leave contact information if possible). Not sure how to set it up? It’s easier than you think.
- DON’T detract from your plan! Some people can stay connected and still relax and unwind. Others need to disconnect altogether. If you’ve promised yourself to stay offline during your vacation, stick to that plan. If your phone’s calendar holds both personal and business appointments, it’s a good idea to turn off syncing from your work account. That way you’ll still be able to see access your vacation plans, without the stress of seeing new meeting requests coming in from the office. With these easy to use calendar apps that help you stay offline, there’s no reason not to. The same advice applies if your work and personal email inboxes are viewable from the same account.
- Staying connected? DO find great options for working remotely. Working remotely doesn’t have to mean staying glued to your phone or tablet (or, heaven forbid, your laptop). Find a great mobile printing app that will allow you to print the emails you need and read them from the comfort of your beach chair. It will enhance your sense of being away – and also prevent that uncomfortable glare that comes with staring into a sunbaked screen.
- DO organize how work will get done in your absence. Few of us can walk away from the office for an extended time without enlisting help. There are a number of things to consider office-wise when planning a vacation. Here are 7 ways to keep your business running while you’re away on vacation.
While it sounds like a lot to consider, these simple steps can save you a lot of time and energy – time that is better spent making memories. In an era where taking a vacation often sounds even more stressful than not taking one, we are here to remind you that with a little planning and some help from technology, you really can make your time off easy and stress free – not to mention your return.
