I’m sure many of you have enjoyed wonderful vacations in the last few months. Whether you’re a beach goer, mountain hiker, or desert dweller, vacation is always something to look forward to.

I recently had the opportunity to THOROUGHLY enjoy Belize with two of my closest girlfriends (I would post our pics together, but forgot to get their permission!). We ate, drank, laughed, rested, walked, shopped, and had an amazing time. I even got to do some speaking while there.

One of the things I marveled at during out trip is the pace in Belize. Folks, let me tell you – THEY DON’T RUSH. Their pace is much more relaxed, which means it’s much less stressful. While it took a few days to get used to it, once I did, it was so nice.

We talked about how different the pace (and stress level) is in the United States and, sadly, many other countries. We run around like chickens with our head cut off, complaining about our pace, then fuss when others don’t run at this same pace with us.

Wassup with that?

As we continued to observe this, the one thing I and my friend who traveled with me promised was NOT TO LOSE THIS. We promised to be more mindful of how we were moving and commit to not losing the more relaxed, less stressful rhythm we had found.

So, how have we done? Meh.

I hate to admit, but it didn’t take long for our old ways to start settling back in. My calendar started to move me along at a pace I sadly recognized, but knew I didn’t want.

However, I’m firmly committed to not losing (and regaining) what I found in Belize – less stress, clearer thinking, more peace.

I’ve already begun and it’s paying dividends. So, if you’ve recently returned from vacation and are feeling your hectic pace taking over again, or if you have a vacation planned and don’t want to regain the stress and cluttered thinking that’s bogging you down once you return, here are some things you can do:

1. Acknowledge that time off from work is your right, not a privilege you must earn. You don’t have to earn rest. Let me say that again, you don’t have to earn rest!!!
2. Be mindful of the fact that you can lose what you gain from vacation if you are proactive in keeping it. The really sad part is it doesn’t take long for the hectic pace to return.
3. Establish boundaries around your work when you return before you leave for vacation. Are there deadlines you can push back or stagger so you’re not overwhelmed when you return? Can you schedule 1-2 extra days of vacation after you arrive back home, but before returning to work so you can ease back in?
4. Resist the urge to work extra hours to ‘catch up’ when you return. The truth is you’re NEVER going to catch up. Instead, double down on achieving goals and not doing a bunch of stuff. Eliminate unnecessary activities that eat up your time and don’t help you achieve your work goals.
5. Bring some vacation magic to work with you. The image attached here are from some of my favorite scenes, foods, and experiences while in Belize (less the pics of my friends). I keep them on my phone and have looked at at least some of them everyday to remind me of how much I enjoyed it and what I need to do to keep some of it!
6. Start with “no.” When you return to work, you and I know there will be plenty of people waiting to get your help with things. Any of those things not mandated by your boss, or not helping you achieve your goals should be an automatic no or at least, “Let me think about it” first. Learning how to say no frees you up to say yes to the things that matter.
7. Communicate new boundaries. When you return, in the most diplomatic way possible, communicate when you are and are not available for work, chit chat, or whatever else is getting in your way – taking up more time and causing more stress than it should. Of course, there is a delicate balance here, but it’s not something you should avoid doing – even if you begin with baby steps.
8. The tough choice….maybe? If you work in a place that consistently expects you to overwork, especially after you return from vacation, and is even punitive as a result of you taking time off, you must ask yourself, is this the healthiest place for me to be?

Remember, you only have ONE LIFE. There are no do-overs. If you don’t prioritize you and your life and the enjoyment of it, exactly who will?

Until next time….