We’re leaving shortly for our annual two-week summer getaway – it’s our 7th year for this escape. We spend 14 days living off the grid at a solar-powered cottage. During that time we have no contact with the practice whatsoever, and it’s become a critical part of staying balanced.

We generally take at least a week or so off each quarter in addition to this two-week block, plus the occasional sabbatical, but this particular vacation is a real rejuvenator.  If you’re feeling the need for less speed, here are 7 tips for getting some real R&R.

1. Believe It’s Important

Guess what? You need the break. Taking care of people is tough work, and it just keeps getting tougher if you don’t take care of yourself. Even if you’re practice isn’t booked solid, don’t kid yourself. You need to take some time.

Besides, working less is good for business, too. Just about every major breakthrough we’ve had with the clinic has happened outside of the office, and usually on longer breaks.

2. Stretch Yourself

If you’ve never taken longer than a week off, or <gasp> a long weekend here and there, now’s the time to develop brand new skill: taking real time off. A week is great, but it’s a different experience from two weeks or longer. If you’ve never taken a long break, try pushing the limit by doubling your longest vacation of the previous year. You won’t regret it.

3. Plan in Advance

If you think you’re going to squeeze in a week or two off at the last minute, think again. There will always be someone in the schedule and unless you block off the time well in advance, it’s just not going to happen. Most practitioners we know aren’t willing to just cancel a week of appointments on a whim. Best practice? Book all your holidays for the year at one time. Then your job is just to show up and enjoy them.

So – right now, plan your holidays for the next 12 months…

…no really, I’m serious. Do it.

4. Partner

Admittedly, it’s tough to abandon clients who need you. The reason it’s tough is the same reason you’re good at this stuff: you actually care about these people.

But rather than forgoing a long vacation, why not partner with someone who can cover for you? We’ve had local and non-local practitioners cover our bases during vacations for years. And when they take time off, we cover for them. It’s a great win-win. Every gets a break, and patients get the care they need.

5. Keep the Office Phones Alive

Just because you’re away doesn’t mean you need to shut down the lines of communication. Make sure you get that phone answered. At the bare minimum, have someone check your voice messages and email for you. It makes vacation that much more relaxing if you know that someone’s filling your schedule for you while you’re away.

But remember: people don’t always leave messages.

6. Don’t Work While You’re Gone

I’m a big fan of working vacations – there are a some types of “big picture” work things that are best done away from your daily routine. But sometimes you need to really, truly, stop.

If you’ve never done it, force yourself to stay off email and other work. If you’re opting for a “staycation” – taking time off without leaving home – be wary, and be prepared to hit the road if you find yourself slipping back into work mode.

7. Trust

Still feel you really can’t take the time off? Then it’s time to do some mental rewiring. It can really be hard to believe that your practice won’t crumble into dust in your absence (we’ve been there) but just trust me: it won’t. If anything, taking some time is going to keep you and your practice from falling apart.

Have a great month, everyone!

-Dan & Tara