New Year Resolution to make your Time-Off actually work for you.
The celebration of the New Year has come and gone with school and work back in full swing.
Routines are settling back in and the effects of having time off to celebrate are taking their toll for those that don’t have a solid plan for transitioning in and out of their earned vacation time.
Was taking time-off worth it?
Does it ever seem like the benefits of taking time off are far outweighed by the mass of stress and overwhelm that comes from what waits for you once you return to work?
For many, the new year brought thoughts of resolutions to do things different or better. Having time-off highlighted the need to make work-life balance a reality, but without a plan and accountability it’s easy to slip right back into ‘same thing, different day’ mentality and become too busy to make the changes necessary to get what you really desire - more freedom.
Hopefully you were able to take time off during the holidays and recharge with family and friends. Maybe this time off allowed you to reevaluate priorities and inspired positive change once you went back to work.
For so many though, the reality of a balanced work-life situation seems so far out of reach. Many company cultures are not providing true examples of leadership promoting uninterrupted, totally checked-out-of-work vacation time, or leading by example how to do this and still be seen as a valued leader within the organization.
It doesn’t feel like paid time off is truly “time off”.
The PUSH or HIDE time-off plan
Do you tend to work extra hours prior to taking time off to get ahead of the workload so you can allow yourself to relax once away from the office?
Have you ever started to disconnect days before leaving hoping to stay under the radar so nothing urgent hits your desk?
The latter is at best avoidance and at worst lack of professionalism while the former creates more overwhelm and stress leading to your first days of your time-off spent in recuperation, not joy.
Either way, these are not solid plans for creating healthy balance or demonstrating leadership.
Whether it feels like it or not, you are in control of your life and that includes work and managing your time-off. You get to set the expectations and plan ahead.
Communication is Leadership
Successful planning includes having honest and direct communication with your leader and your team (direct reports and peers) on what to expect when you take your time off.
Will it always be well-received that you will not be available?
Possibly not, but doing your due diligence to plan ahead, communicate clearly, and support your team by giving clear guidance on how to manage while you’re out is in your control and integral to a successful, stress-free vacation and back to work period.
This is where pre-planning and communication are key. Not sure where or how to go about making this a reality?
Read on.
Time-off Action & Communication Plan
Step 1
Plan your time off in advance (whenever possible) and communicate up to your leaders and out to your peers and team. Be clear on your dates out of the office and that you are going “offline”.
For emergencies or truly urgent issues, you can assign one person to get in contact with you. This not only creates a touchpoint for you and the team, but allows you to clearly define your expectations with one person that you can communicate with and clearly define boundaries.
Step 2
Do what you say and be the example. If you tell your leader and team you are going “offline” then BE OFFLINE.
It doesn’t do any good to set a boundary and then not follow your own expectations. This leads to lack of self-trust as well as confusion for your leader and team.
It’s important to say what you mean and mean what you say. When you don’t hold this boundary it reinforces that it’s not safe to truly take time off. This perpetuates an unhealthy work culture.
Step 3
Have a reemerge plan for when you get back to work so on day 1 you aren’t bombarded with emails, projects and jumping back in at full capacity. It is normal to need time to get acclimated, reengaged, and back up to speed on what has happened while you were out.
If you suffer with anxiety from not being “in the know” then planning ahead to use one of your vacation days to remotely get caught up on behind the scenes work such as informational emails, memos, project notes, etc. could be an option.
The key is to stay out of communication and just catch up on the information and status so when you go back to work on day 1 you aren’t feeling behind. Even better would be to plan ahead and communicate to your team that Day 1 will be a catch-up day and to continue utilizing your touchpoint person until you are up to speed.
Practice Makes Progress
Creating work-life balance after long periods of imbalance can take time to develop a comfort level that allows you to relax on vacation. Be understanding of yourself and realize all things take time and practice. If you don’t feel comfortable being totally offline, then define your boundaries at the level you can handle and stick with them.
Decision-Maker for Your Life
If being offline during time-off isn’t something your company encourages or supports, then you can either be the trailblazer for change or continue the cycle of unhealthy work-life balance.
One way or another, you get to decide. You are the decision-maker in your life.
It’s a new year and with that comes another opportunity to do things differently that better your well-being. Being the leader in your own life means taking charge, making hard decisions and asking for support where needed.
If you’re struggling to make the necessary changes to take charge in your life or career, let’s talk. One free strategy session may be just the thing that allows you to get your thoughts organized, create a plan and take action for being the leader you know you can be…at work and in your own life.
Wishing you the happiest of New Year’s for a life well-lived and a fulfilling career that inspires you, not depletes you.
Everyone’s situation is different and having someone there to encourage and guide you every step of the way helps you get clear on what you want, stay accountable and focus on your goals.
Be you. Authentically and Confidently.
