The hard work before a vacation

Vacations are important because they give me the opportunity to hit my reset button. As a young attorney, I think it is easy to keep going without stopping. Even though I have my different outlets that keep me sane on a daily basis, such as running and watching my favorite television shows, a vacation is the ultimate way to rest and relax.

But in order to really relax, I need at least a week away from the office without checking emails or answering the phone. This means the weeks leading up to a vacation can be more stressful and hectic then the average work day.

The countdown to my upcoming trip to the Bahamas started when I booked the trip in April. The days have inched by since and now that my trip is only days away, I don’t think I’m ready to leave. Preparing to leave the office for a week is a job in itself. There would be nothing worse then being in the Caribbean and thinking about things that need to get done at work, so I have to make sure that I tie up all of the loose ends before I fly out of town at the end of the week.

About a month ago, I started a to-do list with all of the important tasks that needed to get done before I leave. I have to draft motions so they can be filed, for example, propound discovery, contact a few clients, complete my administrative duties… and the list goes on and on.

Unfortunately, I am not even close to finishing and I’m leaving tomorrow. It’s been a little challenging trying to complete one task when I have to file unexpected motions, tend to my clients’ emergencies, contact my new clients and stay in court longer than expected — not to mention prepping for two hearings scheduled for the week I return from vacation, which, to say the least, has caused some anxiety. Of course, I have no choice but to get everything done.

For the past couple of weeks, I have been putting in long hours at the office in an attempt to check things off my to-do list. I haven’t even had the time to think about what I have to pack because I’m so worried that I’m not going to finish everything related to work. I’m anticipating coming back to countless voice mails and emails plus having to prep for trial. The last thing I need is to worry about things piling up while I’m away.

My goal by the end of Thursday is to have a clear desk so I can have a clear mind. I know my vacation has started and I am off to relax on the beach in the Bahamas when I put my “out of office” message on my email and voice mail.