In the past, vacations and I had never seen eye to eye.  Who has the time?  Who has the money?  Who has the energy?  If you’ve ever taken a vacation only to return with the feeling of “I need a vacation after that vacation”, you know what I mean. 

With all things considered, planning for a vacation was akin to project management.  Logistics such as where to go, where to stay, what to do while you’re there and how much to spend had to be coordinated in a way that ensured the vacation would not only go smoothly but, with a little luck, provide that much needed break from everyday life. 

There are some of us to whom taking a vacation is a given.  I’ve worked with people who used up every single hour of their allotted time.  Not me – I was always the one with leftover days – usually more than what I could carry over.  About six years ago, recognizing that maybe this wasn’t such a good thing, I decided to finally do what everyone else did so easily – I went on vacation. 

With my feet in the sand and a drink in my hand, I discovered the pure joy that was a vacation.  For one week, seven fleeting days, there was no job to think about, no projects to manage and no people to supervise.  It was awesome.  It was also anxiety inducing; I found myself wondering what was going on back at work without me there to keep the ship on course.  And I felt a little guilty for being so self-indulgent.  I did my best to keep anxiety and guilt at bay by forcing myself to not check email or voicemail, not a single one. 

Upon returning to work, I realized taking a vacation opened my eyes to 5 things about who I was as an employee. 

1.       My time management skills SUCKED! – Yep, back then I was horrible at managing my time. I never thought so before going on vacation.  The week leading up to my departure clearly demonstrated I was not efficient with an 8-hour workday.  I spent my final day at work in a frenzy trying to complete all of my tasks and I was exhausted by the time my vacation started.  I have since learned to have a structured plan and enough wiggle room for unexpected or last minute complications. 

2.       My vacation was as much for me as it was for my team. Before the vacation, it was not unusual for me to put in 60-70 hours per week; first to arrive and last to leave, firing off emails at all hours of the night and early morning.  I was like that annoying gnat you tried to swat away but kept coming back.  My team needed a break from me. 

3.       I am more than the job. Don’t get me wrong – I loved my job.  I worked for a great boss, was given plenty of autonomy to make decisions and was supported at every level of the company.  It was because of the company’s culture that I felt compelled to go above and beyond, surpass expected targets and contribute as only a super performer would do.  But at the end of it all, there I was with unused vacation days and a twinge of envy for others with albums on social media dedicated to amazing photos of far off places. 

4.       I am not needed every day. The office continued to flow smoothly.  Any issues that popped up were resolved without my help.  The team functioned as it should because they had been trained and empowered.  My not being there demonstrated I had complete trust and faith in them and they were determined to not let me down. 

5.       I am appreciated. “Yay, you’re back!” exclaimed the co-worker who took over my duties.  Another co-worker was happy to see me because we both watched the same television show and while I was away, she had no one to chat with about the latest episode.  Others also commented that my vacation was much deserved, some even asked for details and to see photos.  It felt good to know my absence was noticed and people were genuinely happy to see me back in the office. 

So now I make it a point - scratch that - a given, to schedule vacation time.  Oh the places I’ve seen!  Europe, the Caribbean, South America, among many others.  The possibilities for future destinations are now exciting and endless.  And with each trip I realize more and more how much I, along with everyone else back in the office, need the break.  

What has been your most enjoyable vacation?  Please let me know in the comments - you may inspire my next trip!