New research reveals what business owners do on vacation can be self-defeating.
Summer is just around the corner and millions of Americans are considering a vacation, but many have full calendars and some are finding reasons not to take a vacation. Some people refuse paid time off because it's too stressful to plan a big trip. Others worry that their managers will view them as not being good team players. Some people feel even more guilty.
While a working holiday may sound like the ideal compromise, there are barriers. Some remote workers are so eager to take time off that they resort to “hashcations,” or secret vacations to exotic locations where they can work and have fun without their bosses noticing that they're not working from home. Some people mix it up. Or vice versa, travelers put work before vacation and carry a mountain of work with them while traveling.
Problem with disconnection while on vacation
Employers especially find it difficult to take time off from work to relax on vacation, which has a significant impact on their mental health and professional satisfaction. In Clarity Capital's survey of 600 executives, nearly half of all executives reported working during their supposed breaks. I spoke to Nishank Khanna, chief marketing officer at Clarify Capital, via email, and he had this to say: While this constant connection may indicate commitment, it blurs the lines between commitment and compulsion, ultimately putting you at risk for burnout. ”
The study also measured vacation days taken against executives' self-reported overall happiness and productivity. Research shows that the happiest business owners took an average of 10 days off in the past year. Other important results indicate that managers cannot completely detach from work and do not expect employees to be completely detached.
- 22% of business owners took no vacation in the past year.
- 81% check email while on the go.
- 49% of business owners ignore calls for time off and handle their business while on vacation. “Nearly half of business owners would rather overcome exhaustion than take a break, highlighting a dangerous culture of relentless work over happiness,” Khanna said. This refusal to pause can stifle creativity and productivity rather than enhance it. ”
- Six out of seven business owners who check their email while on vacation still feel burnt out after their vacation.
- One in five employers expect their employees to check email while on vacation. However, this expectation runs counter to the Right to Disconnect bill, which encourages career-life balance, and is illegal in some states. “More than 20% of employers expect employees to check email while on vacation, prioritizing availability over employees' mental health and well-being,” she said. It reflects the pervasive work culture,” Khanna said, adding: Working while on vacation is a worrying indicator of pressure and expectations on both leaders and their teams, and can lead to lower job satisfaction and higher turnover. ”
Financial concerns, guilt, and fear of business failure are barriers for business owners to take time off. A whopping 72% miss vacations for financial reasons. Khanna said the trend highlights the troubling state of entrepreneurial dreams and is a stark reminder that financial freedom remains elusive for many who are at the helm of their own businesses. To tell.
One in four business owners avoids vacations due to feelings of guilt, perhaps fueled by a sense of responsibility to the company and its employees, which explains the mental strain of entrepreneurship. Khanna points out that this highlights the situation.
One in five business owners refuses to take time off for fear of business failure. According to Khanna, this finding points to the vulnerability of small businesses in today's economy, and while he acknowledges this is understandable, he also emphasizes the need for stronger support systems and resources for entrepreneurs. It is said that there is.
How to take a balanced vacation instead of a guilt trip
If you have trouble relaxing, vacations are too stressful, or you feel guilty when you take a vacation, here are six steps you can take to have a fun and well-deserved vacation.
1. Set boundaries. There is something to be said for preventing stress. Having limited communication with the office while on vacation is less stressful than having no communication at all and worrying about things piling up. If you feel like you're falling behind, you may lose control and find it difficult to stay calm. Setting strict limits during the holidays, such as limiting him to one hour a day of checking email or calling, will help him relax.
2. Manage your devices. The breakneck speed of technology can activate our stress response, triggering the release of cortisol and dopamine, and responding to the immediacy of our devices as if they were a threat to extinction. Be a master of your device instead of a slave. If you want to screen calls during non-work hours, use custom ringtones for family, friends, and colleagues. Make instant messaging easy and eliminate expectations of being available 24/7.
3. Finishing and re-entering buffer work. Don't work until right before you leave and go back to work as soon as your vacation is over. If possible, plan your schedule to give yourself an extra day of cushion before you leave and one more day of relaxation upon your return.
4. Balance your activities. During your vacation, alternate between active time and restorative rest. Combining a walk on the beach with his 5-minute meditation has a biochemical effect. Activity increases endorphins. Calming your mind stimulates the parts of your brain that reduce the adrenaline and cortisol surges that come with stress.
5. Plan ahead. Choose a trusted colleague to manage your day-to-day tasks while you're away, and make sure they know you're away. By designating a contact person, you can be contacted by voicemail or out-of-office email only regarding matters that concern you.
last wake up call
If you deny taking time off from work, ask yourself, “What is happening to my mind and body when I don't take time off from work?” “Why can't I give myself a break sometimes?” Examine the trends that stress you out and deprive you of healthy self-care. It may bring you insight and healthy changes. According to Khanna, the finding that only 40% of business owners prioritize self-care during the holidays is surprising, and this statistic should serve as a wake-up call to the entrepreneurial community to balance the demands of their companies. We conclude that it is essential to take A business that requires personal happiness.
