{"id":53726,"date":"2022-07-18T02:16:03","date_gmt":"2022-07-18T07:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fullfocus.co\/?p=53726"},"modified":"2022-10-10T09:18:05","modified_gmt":"2022-10-10T14:18:05","slug":"5-keys-to-taking-a-vacation-you-dont-regret-later","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fullfocus.co\/5-keys-to-taking-a-vacation-you-dont-regret-later\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Keys to Taking a Vacation You Don’t Regret Later"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever needed a vacation <\/span>from <\/span><\/i>your vacation? I have. On my first Monday back in the office, I\u2019ve found myself wondering why I spent all that time and money in the first place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It took me years to realize that vacationing is a skill. And just like any other skill, it takes practice. The best vacations require work, but not the kind of work you imagine. With a little effort, you can prepare to step away\u2014and not regret it later\u2014by planning a vacation with these five keys in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

Key 1: Vision<\/span><\/h4>\n

When Gail and I first started vacationing together, it didn\u2019t take us long to realize we had mismatched expectations. Gail loves to sightsee. She wants to wander through museums, tour local landmarks, eat at all the top-rated restaurants, and explore wherever we are. At first, she\u2019d build out complicated itineraries to make sure we had the best experience possible. There was just one problem. Her idea of vacation sounded exhausting to me.<\/span><\/p>\n

On vacation, I love to relax. I love a good meal, and I want the opportunity to explore. But I also love my afternoon nap. I love leisurely conversations. I love an itinerary with white space we can fill as the mood strikes us.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gail and I had a vision problem. To solve it, we had to begin intentionally discussing what we wanted and working together to build an itinerary that met both of our needs. Without a shared vision, we weren\u2019t in alignment. Our misalignment led to conflict.<\/span><\/p>\n

You need a vision for your vacation, too. Even if you\u2019re vacationing alone, you should take time to slow down and clarify what you want. Otherwise, you might end up going on the vacation you think you <\/span>should <\/span><\/i>have, only to find out it\u2019s not at all the vacation you needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you really visit Rome without seeing the Parthenon? Can you really pay to stay in an all-expenses-paid resort and then spend a whole day just lying by the pool? If it\u2019s what you need\u2014yes, you can.<\/span><\/p>\n

Key 2: Your Why<\/span><\/h4>\n

Every good <\/span>what <\/span><\/i>has a great <\/span>why. <\/span><\/i>Vacations don\u2019t have deadlines the way your work does. They\u2019re easier to put off. Maybe that\u2019s why Americans left <\/span>768 million paid vacation days unused<\/span><\/a> in 2019. Without clarity about what makes your vacation so important, your vacation days are much more likely to pile up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ask yourself a few questions. Why does it matter? What will this vacation mean for you? What\u2019s at stake if you <\/span>don\u2019t <\/span><\/i>take your vacation?<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re having trouble answering these questions, here are a few reasons to get you started:<\/span><\/p>\n