A whopping 47% of Americans don’t use all of their vacation time. Are you one of them?

You have work to get done but not taking vacations regularly can have serious consequences that can harm your personal life and career. Don’t let burnout get you.

Instead, read these 3 ways to not let your vacation days go to waste and afterward you’ll be looking forward to using your vacation days!

1. Make a List of Places You Want to Go

Not every vacation has to be the same. Some vacations are quite relaxing, like on a beach or surrounded by nature in a forest, while others are busy sightseeing trips. Make a list of places you want to visit and think about the time of year you’ll want to go. Putting pen to paper to create a bucket list of vacation spots you want to enjoy will help turn your thoughts into reality all while helping you use your well-earned vacation time.

⃞ Add Laurel Fork Rustic Retreat to your list!

“Deluxe cabins at Laurel Fork Rustic Retreat are just as nice as - and nearly half the price of - similar cabins in the Smokies”

— Southern Living

2. Mark Your Calendar For National #PlanForVacation Day

Yes, there is a day set aside to help Americans sit down and commit to planning out their vacation for the upcoming year. National Plan For Vacation Day is celebrated on the last Tuesday of January. This is the perfect time to budget out your vacation days for the rest of year and plan how you’ll spend your precious time. So, find out how many days you have for the upcoming year and plan your time off. #PlanForVacation

3. Understand That Vacations Boost Your Productivity

The Harvard Business Review found that 94% of vacations that are planned out in advance offer a good ROI when it comes to energy and productivity back in the office. In fact, getting away to think outside the office can actually help you strike up new ideas and dramatically boost creativity. If you’re worried that a vacation will lessen your chances of getting that raise, think again. Studies show that workers who take 11 days or more off a year are more likely to get a raise than those who take 10 days or less.

Vacation days are only your friend if you do one thing with them — use them! Don’t let them go to waste. Plan now and use your hard-earned vacation days so you can live your best life.