Ah, holidays! The word alone conjures images of pristine beaches, cocktails by the pool, and that sought-after glowing suntan. Beyond relaxation and snapshots, holidays also provide a sanctuary for reflection and self-discovery. We think bigger, aim higher, and commit to self-improvement.
But what happens when the suitcases are back in the loft, and the tan begins to fade? Do our grand plans and good intentions survive the transition from those idyllic settings to our bustling, ‘real-world’ lives?
Want to know how to turn those good ideas into plans and success? Read on.
Holidays Kick Our Brains into Action
I have always been prone to overworking, and my team often asks why I never seem to take a break. They are definitely on to something.
We all work hard for our annual holidays, and it can take a few days to adjust once we’ve arrived. But then, one day, we wake up with a clear mind (consumption-dependent).
All of a sudden, our brains start firing ideas at us. When we give our brains time, they do the heavy lifting while we relax – more sleep, more water, less work, and more fun can add to a dramatic effect. You can try to say no, go away, I’m on my holiday. However, they can be persistent.
I can easily have ten or more ideas on holiday – I don’t let them slide either, I write them down and review them when I return to work!
Over the years, my holidays have generated game-changing ideas that I would never have thought otherwise. Most of my great ideas have been about doing things smarter. I hate tasks taking time when I know they can be done quicker.
Tans Fade Quickly, But Your Ideas Don’t Need to Fade with Them
Despite our best efforts, that hard-earned tan begins to fade almost as soon as we get off the plane.
I guess it’s an accurate metaphor for that rapid adjustment back into normality – was I really on holiday? Was it just a weird dream?
Likewise, those good intentions and grand plans we conjured up while sitting by the beach often fade faster than we’d like to admit. Perhaps you vowed to eat healthier, exercise more, take up a hobby, or even change your career path.
Why do these resolutions seem so compelling on vacation yet elusive when we return?
Being Pulled Back into the Pit
While on holiday, it’s easy to convince ourselves that we’re just a ‘reset button’ away from changing our lives. Removed from the stress and triggers of daily life, the prospect of change seems tantalisingly close.
However, in the early part of my work life, I found that many good ideas didn’t make it.
The same old habits were there, poised and ready. Work pressures and family commitments waiting back in the real world. Eager to pull me back into the daily grind of routine existence. It was all too easy to get dragged down into the work pit by colleagues who thought you looked too happy.
Then, just like that, the clarity I felt during vacation blurred into the fog of everyday challenges… and was forgotten.
It was nobody’s fault, but it’s easy to see why it happened. Those around me hadn’t just returned from holiday, hadn’t given their brain a reset, and were getting on with things as we always had.
Not only that, but I’d have two weeks of accumulated work to catch up on, and my positive vibes quickly dissipated. By the time I had waded through the work and emails, there was little time for the good ideas.
How many of us feel we need a holiday shortly after we’re back?
We Can Get Tricked By Immediate Gratification
On holiday, immediate gratification is the norm. Want to sleep in? Go ahead. Feel like an impromptu dive? The ocean’s right there. This instant reward system can trick our minds into thinking that change is just as immediate.
In reality, meaningful change takes effort. Once we’re back, it’s easy to revert to choices that offer immediate comfort, like skipping the gym or ordering fast food, rather than sticking to our holiday resolutions.
How to Make the Change Stick
Is there a way to make those good intentions more resilient than your fading suntan? Absolutely!
I learnt to let those big ideas breath and build on them. Allocate time to work on them and whittle them down to 2 or 3 really solid ones. I have implemented some transformative changes by sticking to a few basic rules:
- Realistic Goals: Don’t aim to overturn your entire life immediately. Start small. Small successes will build your confidence and reinforce your commitment.
- Accountability: Share your plans with someone you trust. They can help you stay on track and offer much-needed encouragement.
- Plan: Having a clear roadmap makes the journey less daunting. Break your goals into actionable steps and work on them systematically.
- Rally Support: If it is work-related and requires money or the support of others, consider who benefits and get them involved. Work out the ROI and have a one-page proposal to discuss with your manager.
- Routine: If your aim is a change of lifestyle, it is worth noting that it can take between 50-250 repetitions for the change to stick.
- Self-Compassion: There will be slip-ups. It’s important not to beat yourself up when they occur. Acknowledge the setback and move on.
- Periodic ‘Mini-Vacations’: You don’t need to wait for your next holiday for introspection. Regularly set aside time to evaluate your goals, make adjustments, and recharge your determination. Even a 3 day break can be enough to clear your head.
If you do this, you will find that you have at least one great idea and will get the support you need to make it happen!
Summary
Unfortunately, your suntan will fade – but your great ideas don’t have to. Following the steps above, you can implement your game changers and make amazing changes!
It will also give you a reason to book your next holiday!
Note to Self:
- Drink more water
- Get 7-8 hours sleep a night
- Don’t lose sight of the good ideas – forget the bad ones
- Follow through on the ones that still make sense in the cold
