Planned Giving expert, Michael Rosen, had a foolproof way to have a perfect vacation. He would say to his staff "If you need to call me, you have to call my mother and explain why you need to interrupt my vacation to talk. If my mother thinks your reason is good enough, she will give you the number where I am staying." He claimed that no one ever had the nerve to call his mother.
Whether it is fear of missing out or concern that something can go wrong, it can be hard to take an actual break from work. Research is clear that taking a vacation is good for your physical health and your mental health. Plus vacations are fun and life is too short to ignore fun!
OK, so you are willing to go and convinced that you need to unplug - how do you do that? Here are 5 tips to make your summer vacation your best one ever.
1. Leave yourself a to-do list
Just before you head out, leave yourself a list of what the priorities are for your attention when you return. Your email and voicemail will suck you into a vortex of things that are urgent, but not important. Be sure that you arrive on your first day back by making your own decisions on how to get up to speed.
Pro Tip - be sure to include "update voicemail message" on your list of things to do when you return. It sounds unprofessional to have an out of office message that is months out of date.
2. Leave a clear out-of-office voicemail
You need to leave a message so callers can make a donation or get their question answered. This template makes sure that you cover the bases.
I'm out of the office and will reply to your important message on [one day AFTER you return to office]. To make an immediate gift online, please visit us at <link>. If you have a question that cannot wait for my return, please contact my colleague [name] at [number] or [email] for help. Have a great week.
Pro Tip - if you are referring people to a colleague, be sure to check with them BEFORE you put their name in the email. If they are away the same time you are, your donor is now really mad that they can't reach anyone.
3. Leave a clear out-of-office email bounce-back message
This classic article by Leah Eustace outlines the good, the bad and the ugly of out of office messages with some clear advice for how you can make yours better. The voicemail template above is also useful for your email message.
Pro Tip - if you allow your email to send automatic messages, you run the risk of validating that it is a valid email address for spammers and phishing. Your organization may have a policy which doesn't allow you to set this up.
4. Take advantage of your absence with requests
Do you need to have a purchase order approved and it takes a week? Got a data request that takes a few days. The PERFECT day to submit any request that takes a few days for someone else to do, is just before your vacation. While it doesn't always work out, usually by submitting your request now, you can work more effectively upon your return because your colleagues can complete their part of what you need while you are gone.
5. Don't check your email or voicemail while you are away!
It's a vacation. You are recharging your batteries. Don't reduce the good time you are having with work. The work will still be there when you get back.
It can be hard to step away from work. With these tips, you can have a good break and be prepared to get back to work refreshed and more effective.
Ann Rosenfield, MBA, CFRE is the Chief Development Officer for Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto. She has no vacation plans this summer because she has a big family wedding to attend in October.
Cover image photo by Meritt Thomas on Unsplash
