Summer is in full swing! Beach trips, mountain-biking, camping, barbeques, pool parties—or maybe for some of us summer is looking more like work, work, and more work. It can be tough pulling away from your job when so many people are depending on you, but remember that lawyer burnout is a very real threat. Work-life balance is important. You may find yourself joking to coworkers, “I need a vacation,” but that might ring truer than you think.
Is stepping away from work a struggle for you? Do you find yourself taking calls in the middle of mini golf with the fam? Can you not resist checking email when lounging by the pool? Then this blog is for you! This is how to vacation like a pro (and not an overworked lawyer).
Plan. Ample planning is the key to being stress-free! Look at your schedule ahead of time and find the most convenient time that allows you to step away from work. Once you’ve got it nailed down, notify your clients and coworkers as early as possible so they can plan ahead, too.
If stepping away for an extensive amount of time causes too much stress, consider using those vacation days for several short trips instead of one big one. That way, you don't have to agonize about being out of office for too long. Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend are the perfect times for a quick getaway.
Unplug. Set up out of office email that will notify others you are not available in case they try to contact you. Make sure to include your return date. Another step that will help you unplug is delegating responsibilities to your team members. Let them know what work they will have to cover in your absence.
Don’t forget to turn off your notifications! This will help draw boundaries and put your mind at ease. If there is an emergency, they can always give you a call. After this, it just comes down to you resisting that urge to check your work email!
Get your CLE credits done ahead of the deadline. Nobody likes a looming deadline! Don’t worry—PBI is always here to make compliance stress free. We’ve got a wide range of CLE to help you score those credits way ahead of the deadline. Choose from any of these on-demand courses or check out what’s coming up here.
Be open to spontaneity. Sometimes, a vacation can wind up feeling like more work, especially if you’re traveling to a new, faraway destination. You might over-plan your trip in hopes of making the most of your time there. Yes, planning is a great way to counter stress, but it can easily turn against you if you’re not careful! That’s why keeping an open mind for spontaneity is so important. Instead of jam-packing your itinerary, select several key items you'd like to do each day, and give yourself time to explore in between.
Not everything will go according to plan and that’s okay. Sometimes, you’ve just got to let it roll. Who knows? Some of your best memories might come from unplanned moments off the beaten path!
Prioritize rest. Use your vacation to recharge and self-care. Spend time with your family, soak in nature, treat yourself to delicious food, and enjoy every moment. You will feel so much better for it.
If this is the adventurous type of vacation, in which you go, go, go, and aim to see as many new places as possible, be sure to create "rest checkpoints." Recharge your stamina so that you will be able to enjoy yourself even more. You don't want to burn yourself out on what's supposed to be a break!
Ease back in. When you finally do return to work, do not fear the task list that awaits you. Instead, take your time getting back into the swing of things. Organize your task list by priority and go from there. Spread your to-do list out through the week and tackle things one at a time. Don’t look at the big picture or you might feel overwhelmed. Baby steps!
What are you waiting for? Get out there and make the most of your summer--you deserve it!
