If you had to give yourself a grade on how well you vacation, how would you score?

Two years ago, I would have likely given myself a solid D+. Trending upward, but overall, pretty terrible. I often didn’t unplug well. I would be distracted and thinking about work the whole time. The biggest challenge for me is switching off quickly enough so I don’t waste the first three days of vacation thinking about all the open loops at work.

Today, I think I’m more like a B+. I’ve learned that I actually do my best in every category of life when I vacation and rest well. Now, depending on your personality, you might be thinking, “Duh! Of course, you do better and feel better when you’re well rested.”

Ok, I get it, you’re right. But not all of us can be so zen.

But, next week I’m on vacation and I can’t wait! My family and I are headed to the Oregon Coast. One of my favorite places on earth.

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If you haven’t been there, I encourage you to make the journey sometime. It’s a unique beauty.

Our kids are never happier than when they’re at the beach – the same goes for me. For me, it’s nearly impossible to be sad when standing in front of the ocean.

So, in honor of our vacation, I thought I’d write a little something sharing a few things I’ve learned about resting well and getting the most out of time off.

First, a few helpful quotes I try to remember when I think about vacation.

I love that last one. Sometimes, to really hit reset you might even have to “blow on the cartridge” before you try again. That’s a little throwback for my fellow 90s gaming nerds.

Next, here are a few questions that help me to plan my days while on vacation.

• What are the soul-filling activities that are difficult to find time for in the normal course of life?
• How will you prioritize your physical health through nutrition and activity? A lack of activity is great, but too much has an undesired effect.
• How will you balance activity and inactivity? For some, doing things is part of rest. For others, they may want the majority of their time to be spent relaxing in a quiet place with a book.
• What are the big questions you’ve been asking about life that may rise to the surface when you have space to think about them? How will you make time to journal or have a conversation to help you process them?
• Who will you be with while on vacation? What is one way that you can intentionally connect with each person that fits their personality and your unique relationship with them?

Finally, there’s the question of what to do about work and all the expectations others might have of you. Here’s my checklist to make sure that the world moves on without you and that you aren’t worried about them while you’re away.

• Remind yourself that the world doesn’t rest on your shoulders. Everything will be fine without you.
• Clearly communicate to the people you work with ahead of time to set expectations about your availability and how long you’ll be gone. Set an auto-responder on your email.
• Set yourself up for a “Tech Checkout.” For real. If you have to, turn off your email inbox, limit your phone use to a specific set of hours, temporarily delete the messaging app you use for work; whatever it takes to truly be present.

Remember, the blessing of rest can only be received and enjoyed by being fully present; mind body, and spirit. Don’t steal from yourself by trying to be in two places at once.

At least, that’s what I’ll be preaching to myself for 7 hours as we drive to the coast.

Till next Friday,

Craig