 Nearly sixty percent of Americans (58% according to the Deloitte 2024 Summer Travel Survey) reported planning a vacation for this summer. The number one motivator for travel? …rest and relaxation. But if you are like me, the motivation may not always be matched by the outcome.
In my experience, vacations are fraught with high expectations. While absolutely necessary and beneficial, meeting the expectation of coming back refreshed and rejuvenated is harder than I plan. It starts with the impossible list of tasks and responsibilities I’ve set out to complete before leaving on vacation. Then comes an exhausting and sometimes stressful day of travel. Once we’ve settled into our accommodation, family quibbling is a given and it could take 2-3 days before I fully unwind. In the worst cases, I get sick - my body finally giving way after the adrenaline wears off from the constant turn of the hamster wheel. I’m lucky if I have two days of bliss, before I already start thinking about and dreading the pile up of work that waits for me when I return. Not to mention the emails I’ve read and responded to along the way. I’ll be the first to admit, I haven’t always had and still don’t have the healthiest habits around vacations. However, what has changed is my mindset about what really contributes to a sustainable pace and rhythm between work and rest. Taking two, one week vacations per year, is no longer the be all end all. The thought that two weeks out of the year could sustain me for the 50 other weeks is really crazy to begin with! To sustain rest and relaxation on a regular basis, beyond vacation, we need to create reserves of three things:
To have a reserve means you have more than you need. In today’s world, our time, space and energy is often over leveraged. We give out, more than we take in. But, you can’t run a car without gas. I don’t know about you, but I always fill my tank before setting off on a road trip. Why don’t we do the same for our minds and our bodies? There are many benefits to building reserves of time, space and energy. When we build reserves we create the ability to choose to do what fulfills us and allows us to be our true selves. We give ourselves the space to grow and thrive. We are happier and more at peace. In turn we are more “attractive” to our friends, loved ones and colleagues creating successful and meaningful relationships. And remember those coveted vacations? Those actually become enjoyable because you no longer depend on them like trying to rehydrate from a tiny sip of water in a dry desert. To start your journey building reserves, think about these questions:
Want to chat about what’s getting in the way of building your reserves? Reach out! And check out this idea bank to trigger your own reserve building steps.
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 Mistakes are opportunities to learn My 14 year old son recently got his first “real” summer job at a local coffee and lunch hot spot. “Real” as in, he’s learned life lessons like “what do you mean they take social security and Medicare out of my paycheck?” And real in the sense that taking on a new job requires lots of training, mistakes and learning. In his first couple of weeks, there have been mistakes a plenty. He’s showed up to work at the wrong time, rung up a customer incorrectly on the point of sale and spilled multiple smoothies and iced lattes. His supervisors have been understanding and empathetic. And, through all of it, he’s been eager to return each day and try again, each time performing a little better and adding more value as a team member. What would have happened if was reprimanded at the first sight of spilled milk? Would he have been as eager to go back to work each day? Would he be inclined to speak up and ask questions about something he didn’t understand? Probably not… Blame and shame can have dire consequences Unfortunately in the professional world, environments where mistakes and failure are severely frowned upon are all too common. Team members are disciplined and shamed. In environments like these, employee engagement is low and performance and innovation are lackluster. In her book “The Fearless Organization”, Amy Edmundson recounts several case studies demonstrating these poor results. On the worst days, these environments are breeding grounds for disasters and tragedy. In 2018 and 2019 a total of 364 passengers died in two major crashes involving the Boeing 737 max aircraft. During the investigation of the crashes it was found that the cause was related to a faulty design of its autopilot system. Boeing has since admitted that its employees withheld information about this design flaw during the initial certification process for the aircraft. Build psychological safety to foster learning and innovation In workplaces with high levels of psychological safety, team members feel safe to speak up, ask for help or admit mistakes without fear of blame or humiliation. On their best days, these environments foster creativity, learning and innovation. Leaders are critical to creating psychologically safe workplaces. One of the most critical factors in shaping this type of organizational culture is how mistakes and failures are framed. Instead of framing them as bad or detrimental to the organization, leaders de-stigmatize mistakes and facilitate team member growth by encouraging learning and forward movement.
When mistakes are seen as opportunities for learning rather than grounds for reprimand, employees are more likely to engage, innovate, and contribute meaningfully. As leaders, it's essential to foster environments where team members feel safe to admit errors and seek help. As exemplified by Arun Upneja, Dean of Hospitality Administration at Boston University, embracing mistakes can propel us toward greater innovation and growth. If we want to push the envelope in the hospitality and travel industry, we must encourage a culture where failure is not feared but welcomed as a stepping stone to success.
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AuthorRachel Vandenberg is a leadership coach living in Stowe, Vermont with her husband and three children. Rachel also owns and operates a hotel and attractions property with her family. She sits on the board of the local tourism association and also created a leadership retreat for women leaders in travel. Archives
November 2024
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