Tips for a Successful Vacation

It is important to vacation every now and then, take a trip by yourself, with your loved one, or family. You need a little break every now and then. These are helpful tips I live by to get the most out of my vacations may they be grand or weekend getaways.

1. Turn off the Cell Phone. This is practically impossible since we are in an age where I use it for everything. I use it to schedule my days, find my local golfing course, call friends, check email, and play games. It’s so scary to shut it off because there is a sense of impending doom when you do. However, my most relaxing vacations are when I don’t have signal. No Bars = No Stress (at least on vacation).

If you know that you don’t have anything that is urgent, just turn it off. Re-learn how to use the newspaper if you want to be informed. Put down your iPad and dust off a book. Give yourself a rest from all these unnecessary electronics. If you want to play a game, find an old thing called “Chess.” It’s refreshing and rewarding when you can’t be disturbed by silly questions, or just electronic distractions.

2. Work balance. In the event that you do need to check some emails and do other necessary functions to keep your business afloat, balance it. Remember that you are trying to get away from work, so don’t let it consume your day. Figure out how much time you must have to work and keep within that time frame. A good rule of thumb is an hour in the morning, and follow up with emails once before dinner. Keep contact to a minimum. Even mark your emails with priorities so you can easily focus on them later.

The same goes for home balance. If you or your spouse is worried about everything that is going on at home, you miss the chance of really getting away. Keep emails and updates to a minimum. If there’s an emergency, people will find you.

3. Me time. Depending on your style of vacationing, you may or may not get “me time.” This is very easy to skip if you are traveling with kids. Always plan for a little me time each day, for at least 1 hour. Note that your me time is different then your 1 hour work time. For 1 hour, get a massage, read a book, take an afternoon nap, or watch a game. This should be time just for you. If you want your significant other to participate with you, that’s alright, but make sure they don’t cause any distractions that may ruin your time.

4. Plan Accordingly. If you know your family is happier when you are busy all day long, plan ahead to have lots of activities. If you know the point of the trip is to sit by a pool and do nothing, don’t try to squeeze in social activities. Preplan what you know you’ll enjoy and stick to it. Don’t bother changing plans because a friend was in town or another questionable activities was recommended. It’s YOUR vacation, do what YOU want to do.

5. Enjoyment. You know what you enjoy, so do something that makes you smile or something that is different that you can’t do in your regular days. Go on a hike, or lay by the beach. Don’t simply sit in front of the T.V. There are so many things to do for whatever activity level you desire. Preplan this of course, but enjoy yourself. I can’t stress that enough to just have a good time and don’t worry about the little things.

It’s your vacation, so enjoy the good things in life!