I have been working diligently, as I always do, but this a great opportunity to recharge. When I go on vacation, I don’t 100% disconnect. Instead, I get inspired. I think about what I am going to write next. I think about the next steps that I need to take. When I am on vacation, I sneak off for a drive by myself. When I go to Vegas, I do a little gambling and have fun. I don’t see a vacation as an opportunity just to get away. I see it as an opportunity to reconnect with my dreams.

My regimen is not rigid. My priorities are whatever my family wants to do. Whether it’s going to the pool, going shopping or wherever the kids drag us, I go with the flow. If my mind wanders towards work or writing or strategizing, I let it. Whenever I get back from a trip, I’m ready to go.

Since it’s laborious to set up my laptop, plug in the keyboard, etc., I just don’t do it. I clean out my junk emails on my phone and if I feel like checking in with my manager, Jamila, I do it. If I don’t, then I don’t.

I enjoy my professional and personal life. I don’t buy that vacation time is a time to disconnect. On the contrary, I believe it’s a time to connect with my dreams and goals. I completely understand if somebody who has a stressful job wants to 100% disconnect. The concept of self-improvement needs to be personalized.

Let me know your thoughts on how to take a trip.

Two weeks ago, my team member, Chris Stevenson, wrote a similar post about how he treats while on vacation. Every year he goes to Maui to relax with his family. Note – my trip is a quick trip. His trip is a lot longer. When I go on a long trip, I tweak my process.

Chris’ take:

I am on vacation! It is time for some much needed rest and relaxation. The question is, should you work while you are on vacation. There are many different opinions ranging from the idea of complete detachment to keeping your laptop with you at all times. Here is my take. I DO work on vacation. I love what I do and would truly miss it if I didn’t do anything. The thought of being out of the loop completely freaks me out and would prevent me from fully relaxing and enjoying my time away. I wouldn’t want to come back to an overloaded inbox and voicemails at capacity. Other people may feel differently, but this is what works for me. I do have three rules though. These rules allow me to have the best of both worlds.

1. For the most part I work ON my business not IN my business. I minimize the time I am dealing with the typical day-to-day operations and focus on bigger things like company vision and planning. This is motivating and inspiring. In a way it’s a mental vacation.

2. I manage my time. I get up a little earlier than everyone else and use that time to work. Once that time block is over, work is over.

3. I do my best to stay present. When not in a work time block, I don’t work. I don’t taIk about work. I don’t check my phone. I stay engaged in the moment and enjoy the much deserved time off.

That is my take on working on vacation. I would write a little bit more but I’m going to grab a lava flow! Aloha!