Time for vacation

   Step one: Find time to think about what you're doing for vacation. This can be difficult when you have more things to do in a day than your have hours for. Hint: Add it to your task list to remind yourself...
   Step Two: Schedule an appointment with your significant other to jointly decide what you are doing, where you are going, and for how long.
   Step Three: Book your reservations so you cannot reconsider on account of having too much crap to do. Hint: Reading the refund policy will only give you the means to rationalize - don't do it!
   Step Four: Frontload the rest of your week so you can get everything done. That way you won't have to worry about it on vacation. You will be exhausted from working so hard all week you'll need the recuperation time anyway.
   Step Five: Find out where WiFi is available in case your email withdrawal causes an anxiety attack. Hint: Blackberries may not work out in BFE.
   Step Six: Who cares about step six?
   Step Seven: Schedule an appointment with your suitcase - be sure you have time to pack all the necessities in case you forgot to do something during the week.
   Step Eight: Don't forget your nicotine patches.
   Step Nine: Find a good book to read so you can relax. Don't obsess about bringing just the right book with you.
   Step Ten: Say goodbye to your children/cats/dogs/fish and whatnot.
   Step Eleven: Be sure your significant other is in the car before you leave.
   Step Twelve: Your PDA chimes to remind you to chill the heck out and relax. Hint: Don't look ahead at next week and all the stuff you have to do because you were on vacation.