A newsletter reader once asked me if I ever work in the summer as it seemed I was always writing from somewhere other than home. Summertime for my family usually includes more than one out-of-town vacation plus day trips to area beaches. I can't think of a better place to be than sitting on the beach with my family, good friends, good food, and good music. I work all year for those moments. I'm always appalled at people who work so much they don't make time for vacation.
At Bose I worked with people who would tell me how much vacation time they had accumulated, or even worse, how much they had lost since they didn't use it. For some of these people, not using their vacation time was like a badge of honor. I thought it was a badge of stupidity. I don't work for work's sake. I work to provide for my family's current and future needs and to live life to its fullest.
Vacations are when memories are built. It's where I get the opportunity to recharge my batteries and clear my head. Having employees take vacations is just as important to a business's financial health as strategic planning, hiring great employees, and being incredibly focused on the customer. So if you have found yourself too busy to plan a vacation or two this summer, stop reading and go do it. Life's too short, my friend.
For those of you who are taking vacations this summer, here a few things to consider.
First, I'm not going to give you the lecture about it not being okay to even think about work, let alone sneak off to do some. If you want to check your email, check it. If you want to check your voicemail, listen away. The way I see it, if you have to "sneak" then you're probably doing so at the expense of your family or friends. It's not checking in on work that is an issue but rather at what expense.
Here's what I do. I'm an early riser. I love getting up in the morning and having my morning coffee while everyone is still is asleep. I take a few minutes and check my email to see if there's anything so important it can't wait until the following week. Twenty minutes and I'm done. Now before you say that by doing that I'm not really getting away and recharging my batteries, I disagree. Wondering what I'm missing might be a bigger drain than checking my email before the rest of my family is awake. The key is that I very rarely take time away from my family to work. So quit feeling guilty about doing any work on vacation but feel guilty if work takes time away from your family and friends.
Next, when you're on vacation, let go. If your employees can't run the business without you then your problems are too big for you to be on vacation. Don't call the store or your managers every day. You'll give the impression that you don't trust them. If the store burns down I'm sure they'll call you. Other than that, leave them alone. This isn't about you, it's about them. Show them you that you trust and appreciate then. When you get back from vacation be sure to thank them for their hard work.
Bose once had a manager who, whenever he came back from vacation, yelled and complained that his store was all messed up. The staff told me that the store could be improved tenfold and the guy would still complain. What a jerk. I told him so, too. If you come back from a vacation to find things you don't like, develop your people so it doesn't happen again. The next time you go on vacation set very clear expectations about what you want to see when you get back. But don't be a jerk after sitting on the beach for a week while your staff worked double shifts to cover the store.
Finally, have fun. Forget about the store, district, or company. Be in the moment. Enjoy it. I can guarantee that when your life comes to a close you'll be remembering the time you spent with the people who are special to you, not how you fixed a pressing cash flow issue one summer while staring out at the ocean or mountains. Here's wishing you a wonderful summer of memories! I know I'm creating mine as you read this.
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