Going on Vacation? 3 Ways to Set Boundaries and Have an Amazing Time

Hi LinkedIn!

Welcome back to Your 6% Journey, a weekly newsletter with thought provoking insights on how to get among the 6% of people who want change, pledge to change things in their business and life, and actually follow through. Everything that I share in this newsletter is based on over tenyears of rigorous research and fieldwork. I am so glad to share it here with you so that you can accelerate your success in business and life, or in other words- join the 6%.If you’re meeting me for the first time, it’s so great to see you here! You can learn more about me and everything that I do by visiting www.DrMichelleRozen.com. Stop by, read articles, watch clips- there's a lot in that website that I have created for you!

This newsletter comes around at this time of the year where many go on vacation? Are you planning one? Whether you are, and even if you are not, I wanted to talk about the topic of setting boundaries when going on vacation. Yes, as part of preparing for it.

So as August came in, and I started making some plans for going away for a short while, I’ve been thinking about the topic of how to get away and go on vacation, without getting stressed about what you are leaving behind- your team, your business, your responsibilities, processes that you are in the middle of....I’ve mostly been thinking about it because I’ve heard from so many people recently, that just preparing for their vacation stresses them out, so I wanted to surface this topic and talk about it with you.

I’m all about being proactive, and the last thing you want is to get stressed about about leaving for vacation.

So a few 3 tips on that:

Tip 1 for leaving sane for your vacation- be open and proactive early on at work and at home

One of the best things you can do is to communicate your vacation plans well in advance. Let your team know when you'll be out and what can wait until you're back. This isn't about leaving anyone hanging—it's about clear communication and trust. By setting these expectations, you're actually helping everyone manage their time better. Plus, it empowers your team to take charge and handle things on their own. At home, start preparing in advance. Make a list, get everything ready. Nobody wants to deal with last minute running around and stress.

Tip 2 for leaving for vacation without losing your mind- share the load

Delegation is your friend! Before you head out, identify the tasks that need attention and delegate them to your team at work. This is a fantastic chance for them to grow and show what they can do. Be specific about what's needed and provide any resources they might need. A well-prepped team can handle things smoothly, so you can relax knowing everything's under control. At home, delegate both on preparing for leaving, and on what happens when you are not there. It’s a great opportunity to practice delegation and let go of control and perfectionism.

Tip 3 for having just the vacation that you need- get proactive on setting some digital ground rules

In today's always-on world, it's tempting to check emails or messages, even on vacation, but let’s get honest, to truly recharge, set some digital boundaries. So, instead of getting frustrated with people for interrupting your vacation, get proactive with boundaries ahead of time, and let your team and key contacts know your availability and who to reach out to for urgent matters. Set up an out-of-office message with the details. This not only helps you unwind but also sets a great example for maintaining work-life balance.

And don’t forget, digital ground rules work for you as well. If you’re planning to read more and be on tik-tok less, decide how to do that, and set the boundaries for yourself, or just don’t have any, because after all, it is your vacation, and your rules, just decide on that ahead of time.

So whatever it is, a vacation, a stay-cation, or just a trip to the beach- August is here, and it’s an opportunity for you to live your best life, not just because you get to have a break, but also because your boundaries, and being proactive about them, will allow you to fully enjoy it. Enjoy your vacation, stay-cation, or just the summer- you deserve it! Just don’t forget your sunscreen, your boundaries, and to have fun!

Yours always,

Dr. Michelle Rozen

The Change Doctor