Are You Unplugged This Weekend?

In the U.S., it’s a big holiday weekend.

So, the question for the weekend is, “Are you unplugged?”

These days it seems that everyone stays connected to their work even when they are off or on vacation.  However, unplugging from your workload can be good for you.  It lets you recharge.  It gives your mind a break from the normal grind.

So, in light of that… here are my suggestions for the weekend:

Turn Off the Email – Do you check your work email on weekends and vacations? Why?  What are you going to do about it, other than stress?  If it truly is an emergency, someone will call you.  And sometimes, your co-workers need to address things on their own.  If you are using an iPhone it is only a few taps to reach the email account “on-off” button.  It is that easy to turn back on after the Holiday.

Leave the Work at Work – Do you bring home papers, reports, or even your work laptop?  Unless it is something that must be done, you are just bringing home unnecessary guilt.  Leave it at work.  It can wait until you return.  If you brought it home, put it back in your car so that you will not see it all weekend.

If You Must Work – If you must work, then I suggest you set a work schedule and then keep to it.  This will reduce the stress on yourself and your family.  Everyone can be clear when you are working and when you can relax and have fun.

Capture Great Ideas – I get some of my best ideas when I am not working.  When your mind is relaxed and free, the ideas just flow.  Make sure you capture these ideas for later.  When I get a great thought, I immediately take the 10 seconds that it takes to send myself a reminder for after the break.  When you get back to work, you have all kinds of great ideas waiting for you.

Finally, did I mention turning off the work email?  Turn it off.

Have a GREAT holiday weekend all!

What about you? Are you unplugged for the holiday weekend?