Busy people often say that “no time is a good time” to go on vacation.

But I disagree. 

I take time off during our busiest times of year. 

In fact, I think the best time to go missing is when your team’s work is at its peak. 

Take the next four weeks for example. 

We’re in a middle of launching a software pilot, two weeks away from our annual hiring event, full steam ahead recruiting for a new market, and we’re about to kick off staffing for a new distribution center. 

It couldn’t be busier!

But I’ll be in and out of the office for the next four weeks.

Sounds irresponsible, right?

Well, let me explain. 

WHY YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN’T TAKE OFF

If I’m feeling stressed out like I can’t take time off for business or pleasure, it’s usually NOT because work is too busy. 

It’s usually because three things didn’t happen…about a year ago.

THE FIRST REASON: NO CALENDAR

The first would be that I failed to create an annual calendar. 

Building an annual talent acquisition calendar helps me plot out all the key events happening inside my company and on my team. That way, I can plan my whole year, looking ahead for both choke points and slow periods.  

I call this “working to the rhythm of the business”.

Now, when most people hit a lull at work, that’s when they put their “Out of Office” on. But that’s actually when I step on the gas. It’s when my team and I put things in place to make our busy times more predictable. 

THE SECOND REASON: NO ACTION PLAN

The second thing that would keep me from getting away would be not working with my leadership team a year in advance on our strategy and action plan. I’ve written about this before. 

When my team knows exactly where we’re going (the strategy) and how we’re going to get there ( action plan), they need me less when the going gets tough. 

And that brings me to my third point. 

THE THIRD REASON: WRONG PEOPLE - WRONG PROJECTS

If I feel so busy that I can’t even hit the gym after work, it’s because I haven’t put the right people on the right projects and given them the guidance, support, authority they need to deliver.

Me being out of the office during our busiest times is actually a display of trust in their abilities and I think they greatly appreciate that. 

Now, most of my travel over the next four weeks is business related. But I did manage to sneak in some valuable QT with my oldest son. We checked off a  bucket list item with a quick visit to the San Siro for the Derby de Delamadonna. (If you know…you know.)

Look, I’ve been deep underwater at work feeling like there’s no way I can take a break. So, my hope for this article is that it motivates anyone feeling this way to create a calendar, work to the rhythm of the business, get the strategy straight, and trust people to deliver the goods. 

If you do, even the busiest times are a good time to go away. In fact…they’re the best!

This post is dedicated to my incredible team! Thank you :)