An article recently popped up in my inbox entitled, “How To Work Only 40 Hours A Week This Year” and it made me want to scream. Why are we so zeroed in on work? Why is there such pressure to work > 40 hours per week?! Your life, identity and purpose should not be solely focused on your career…even if you love what you are doing! You are not 100% defined by your job. Period. The funny thing is though, a majority of us will spend most of our waking hours at our jobs. {Insert sigh} One of the benefits that most full-time employees enjoy is paid time off. If you’re like me (and millions of others), that time is short but sweet. I get two weeks of paid vacation. While I’m grateful for that time off, I’ll be the first one to tell you that between weddings/bachelorette parties/showers, sickness, and a myriad of other “life” reasons, two weeks off really turns into one week off. I’m sure many of you can relate! In order to actually take a vacation, I have learned to be crafty…and very organized. Below are five tips on how to maximize your limited vacation time.
Five Tips on How to Maximize Your Limited Vacation Time
- Plan, plan, plan ahead. One of my favorite parts of the new year is getting a new planner. I like to start off by marking down all of the holidays my office is closed throughout the year. Next, I write out all of my expected travel for work and days off for weddings/other events I know will be happening. Finally, I take a look at when would be best to use my vacation time. I try to space trips out so that not everything is happening back to back.
- Coincide your vacation with holidays. Use those long weekends! For example, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is coming up on the 16th. You could take Tuesday, the 17th off and extend that trip. Looking ahead for the year, below are some other dates to consider when planning your vacations:
- President’s Day is on Monday, February 20th. Take off the 21st for an extended weekend.
- Memorial Day is on Monday, May 29th. Take off the 30th for an extended weekend.
- The 4th of July is on Tuesday. Take off the 3rd for an extended weekend.
- Labor Day is on Monday, September 4th. Take off the 5th for an extended weekend.
- Christmas Day is on Monday, December 25th. Take off the 26th-29th for a long end of the year trip!
- Don’t spend all your time getting to your destination (unless it’s a road-trip). If you only have an extended weekend but spend a full day traveling, your vacation will feel so short. You will regret not paying a few extra bucks to book the direct flight. If you’re up for it, try flying overnight and waking up in your new destination. Don’t waste your time in airports! Another thing to consider is a staycation or day trip. I’m from Cleveland and they are SO MANY amazing things to do here that I have never actually done. Spend a weekend purposefully exploring your hometown (or nearby city).
- Bleisure travel is a great option! How many of you go to work conferences or travel for your job but never actually enjoy the city you are in? What a waste! I highly recommend that you tack on a day or two before or after your work related travel.
- Ask for unpaid leave. If your employer is smart, they would rather have you take unpaid leave and go on that vacation of your dreams rather than quit your job. It never hurts to ask…be polite and have a plan!
In conclusion, I hope that you can benefit from these five tips and maximize your limited vacation time in 2017! Remember that you are not fully defined by your career. Use your well-deserved time off effectively and wisely so that even your short amount of vacation days will still allow you to explore that new city, relax on your favorite beach and catch up with your lifelong best friend. Come back well-rested and happy…your employer will thank you!
Question for you: How many vacation days do you receive (if you’re a full-time employee)? Do you use them all?
