Take Boundaries on Spring Break

Ahh Spring Break!  Just those words make one think of sunny beaches, drippy ice cream cones and a cold adult beverage.  Having just returned from a wonderful vacation with our college-aged kids (thank you Purdue and Ohio State for having the same breaks!), I reflected on this trip and the many years of spring breaks when I was in the corporate world.  What is the most important thing to pack for vacation (other than sunscreen)?Boundaries.Vacations are meant to be a break from the stresses of daily life.  Perhaps the pandemic made us value them even more when we were not able to truly “get away.”  But how many of us take our work computers with us on vacation?  I did for years, but not anymore.  Just “doing a few things at night” pulls your brain back into your work world.  Yet am I advocating for complete radio silence? No. Not knowing what is going on or slowing progress on a project can actually cause stress and pull your mind from the Euchre game or other family moments.That’s why I am making the case for boundaries.  I have learned to set my intentions before I take a trip, and identify if there are several things that I can help stay in motion without pulling myself away from vacation mode.  Will I spend 10 minutes to proof a newsletter on my iPad so it can go out the door for a client? Absolutely.  Take a few minutes on social media to defend my industry from the annual assault of the “Dirty Dozen” that the Environmental Working Group uses as a publicity stunt against crop protection? You bet.  Spend two hours on a call that can wait? Nope.  Granted, I am now in business for myself so have a bit more freedom to decide what is essential. Yet I believe that with intentions up front and boundaries in your carry-on bag, you too can have a vacation that recharges your batteries without feeling like you are dropping a ball.Enjoy your vacation, and wear your sunscreen!