The Vacation Checklist: How to Prepare Before You Leave Work

It's the holidays and chances are good that you're taking a few vacation days to visit family and friends. It's the perfect chance to get away for a few days, relax, and enjoy the season, but nothing ruins a vacation like remembering something you needed to finish at work before you left.

Don't let work stress carry over into your vacation: make a checklist before you leave the office that will ensure all your i's are dotted and your t's are crossed. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Tip #1: Take a Work Inventory
Sit back for a minute, put your phone on silent, and make a list of all the projects you have going on. Then, divide these projects into categories: those that need to get done immediately (aka before you go on vacation) and those that can wait until after you get back.

Start by tackling those in the "immediate pile," and be sure to write up a list of  everything that can wait. When you get back, that list will be waiting for you so you can pick up right where you life off.

Tip #2: Ask for Help
Is the "immediate" task list from above much larger than you thought it would be? Rather than just ignoring these tasks and hoping Santa will take care of them for you, ask your colleagues for help. Some offices slow down a bit around the holidays, and who knows, your co-workers may just be in the holiday spirit and willing help you out. Just remember to bring them back a little something from your tip to say thanks!

Tip #3: Utilize Travel Time
If you've gone through tip #1 and tip #2 and there's still a few things you need to get done, utilize your travel time to wrap up any remaining work. With lap tops, smartphones, and the rest of today's wireless gadgets, you can easily polish off a few hours of work at the airport or on the plane.

Before you leave, just remember to grab any related materials you'll need to take with you. Also, set firm expectations of what you are going to work on and when you're going to stop. Otherwise, you may find work eating up your entire vacation.

Tip #4: Pay Attention to the Little Details
Once all the big projects and to-dos are taken care of, you can focus on those last few details. The things most of us tend to forget are the little things that come automatically to us and that someone else will need to take care of while we're away.

Run through your weekly tasks and check for recurring duties you don't even think twice about. Are you, for example, in charge of your office's daily function sheet, weekly office supply order, or employee payroll approval? More importantly, are you in charge of feeding the office fish or watering the plants? Hunt down those tasks that you'll need someone else to do, and take the time to explain and demonstrate them before you leave.

Tip #5: Turn Off Your Technology
You'll be out of the office, but your technology will still be there. Take a minute to put "out of the office" messages on your voicemail, email, and anywhere else people will be contacting you. Be sure to include the date of your departure and return, so they will know when to expect correspondence or follow up from you.

Now it's time to pack your bags, board the plane, and enjoy your vacation!