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1 November 2006
From office pool to resort pool
Juggling the work-play combo
By Terry Riley
I shouldn't have to supply a list of case studies to convince you that
time away from your work and distance away from your workplace can reduce
your stress, improve your health, clear your mind and reinvigorate your
soul.
 Thanks
to the same benefits, vacations can have a payoff for your business, too.
Who among us doesn't perform better when rested, refreshed and
rejuvenated? For business travelers and the companies who employ them,
time off is a win-win situation, because it allows individuals traveling
for their companies the chance to mix work and play on the same trip.
Successfully pulling off this work-play combination, however, is another
matter. Sure, it can be done—but it is always a challenge to make sure
that neither pursuit interferes with the other. Here are some tips that
can help.
Schedule it right
According to Dr. Stephen Smith, professor of tourism at the University of
Waterloo, it's generally best to vacation following the business portion
of your trip, so you won't have thoughts of work looming over your leisure
time. Moreover, you can use your vacation as an incentive to get the most
out of your business trip.
An exception to this rule is if the business you will be conducting
requires that you do immediate follow-up work. In those cases, vacation
first. Or better yet, postpone the vacation until you can schedule it to
follow your work.
Schedule it right away
Once you've decided that combining business and leisure makes sense,
arrange both with equal thoroughness. Attention to the details of business
travel can help to accomplish your goals, and careful vacation planning
can get you the best selection of accommodations and activities at the
best price.
Prepare your troops
Just as you should keep your boss and compatriots advised of your business
travel plans, do the same with your plans for vacationing. As soon as you
make your plans, let everyone in your work stream know what you're up to.
Cut the cord
If you feel that you must leave an "emergency" telephone number behind at
work, make it clear what you define as an emergency—e.g., flood, fire,
famine—not Bob in accounting wanting to know about the purchase you made
last quarter.
Brief your traveling companions
Professor Smith notes that in about three quarters of the cases when
business travelers extend their trips to add on some fun, they bring along
a family member or friend. If that's your plan, make it clear to your
traveling companions that you will be unavailable during the working
portion of your trip. Encourage them to plan activities, so they neither
interfere with your business nor feel left out.
Draw the line
Don't use your vacation time to catch up on business—and, of course, don't
play around when you should be working. When you complete the business
portion of your combined trip, ship your work materials home or send them
back with a colleague. If that doesn't work for you, at least pack away
your business materials in a separate bag you will not open until your
vacation is over.
Ease the transition
The purpose of a vacation is to "decompress" from the tension of your job.
Consequently, you may need some extra time upon returning to work to
"recompress." Plan to ease back into the saddle. Avoid making important
decisions or scheduling any activities that require intense concentration
for the first day or so. Instead, use your initial time back in the office
to catch up on email and phone messages and to learn about any company
changes.
If you're planning a work-and-leisure combination trip, these tips should
help. But if you're reading this on the job—stop. Make your vacation plans
and get back to work.
If you're reading this on vacation—stop. Take another dip in the pool.
This article originally
appeared in Executive Travel magazine
© 2006 Applied Psychology
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