Here’s my second secret for overcoming PVTSS (Post Vacation Traumatic Stress Syndrome)
If you missed the first secret CLICK HERE to catch up.
The second (and most overwhelming) source of my PVTSS is the dread that so much work has pilled up while I was out that I will never catch up.
Over the years I have learned how to “catch up” very rapidly with the least amount of stress. Here are a few strategies that have greatly helped me.
1) Prepare to come back, before you leave.
Remind your co-workers a week before you’re out of the office that you’ll be gone so they can ask you ahead of time for things they might need from you. It’s always frustrating for people to not be able complete a responsibility they have because a co-worker is out of the office. You can resolve most of your co-worker’s potential frustrations just by reminding them ahead of time that you will be gone.
Be sure you know the tasks that you need to complete before you leave and be sure you’ve completed them. You should make a list of these tasks about 2 weeks before you leave on vacation.
Ask a co-worker to be the point person for people to contact if they have an emergency in your area of responsibility. When you send your co-workers the email a week before you leave to remind them you will be gone include the contact info for the co-worker that will be handling their questions while you’re out.
Here’s an important tip: If you have not thought ahead and completed your responsibilities ahead of time, this person will never again volunteer to be your point person while you’re away from the office. Remember this tip and you will not wonder why they erupt into uncontrollable laughter next time you ask them to be your emergency contact.
My next post will cover Strategy #2 for catching up with the least amount of stress in the least amount of time after returning from vacation.
