8 Tips To Unplug Sans Stress

(Published originally on Canadian Business Chicks.)

As a business owner, it’s essential to schedule a time to “unplug”. The challenge is how to unplug so you can enjoy your time away with family, be present, and not return feeling stressed?

The busier you are, the more critical it is that you recharge. The more you plan “out of office” the less stress you will have upon your return. The non-negotiable is not planning to take time away.

8 Tips to Unplug Sans Stress:

• Plan Your Calendar – Planning in advance is absolutely necessary. Have a peek at your calendar as far ahead as possible. The more time you spend planning your time away the less stress you will have to return to work. As a single momma and business owner, I have found planning as far away in advance as possible is key to really enjoying time away, sans stress.
• Create Checklists – I absolutely love creating daily checklists each night for the following day (yes, I also prioritize them in order of importance). I’ve found creating pre and post vacation checklists (the day before and after) keep me focused on getting the high priority items out the door and excited instead of anxious about taking time away.
• Empower and Support – As the boss chick, there are opportunities to empower others to take on additional responsibility. Yes, there are tasks that only you can do, however, there are many that you can delegate. Baby steps are involved and baby you are worth it. I’m thankful to the circle of support that enable me to unplug.
• Create a Buffer Zone – “Stay back, stay back, I need time.” The commands for my earlier years as a flight attendant have been a reminder to create a buffer in my schedule to ease back into my work. I block my schedule the day before and after unplugging and complete priority items by noon the day before so I can start my time off sans stress.
• Communicate  – Communicating to your key clients, vendors, or partners you are planning to be away, provides them with the opportunity to connect with you before you leave if they need to reach you. It builds trust and lets them know they are valuable. Our business includes a membership, weekly newsletter, events and social media. Communicating when I’m unplugging is also important to ensure they know you are service-orientated and human!
• Set The Rules For Engagement – Everyone is comfortable at different levels of engaging while unplugging. Personally, I feel less stress when I allow myself 30 minutes to work or check emails every couple days. I set the expectation up ahead of time so I am present for the family time.
• Automatic Email Message – One of the last items on my pre-vacation checklist is setting the automatic email message or voicemail. Don’t be afraid to make it personal, let them know when you will be returning to the office and how they can get ahold of you in a case of an emergency.
• Have Fun – The reality is that we can create all the checklists in the world and there will always be something that just doesn’t get done. Cut yourself some slack and go have fun, rest and enjoy the time to recharge with family. Put your own mask on first so you can help others!