Blog Post

Just surviving your holiday?

Ollie Smedley • Jul 15, 2019

Ideas for ensuring you return rested, refreshed and raring to go!

For more years than I’d like to admit, my work / life balance was out. You see I enjoyed work, I wanted to advance my career and I also loved the challenge of work individually and in teams.

But of course there were consequences and many of them manifested at holiday time.

In the weeks before I left I would work flat out– perhaps to get the budget or Year-End in shape, to empty my in-box, rushing to finish whatever was there in order to leave ‘guilt’ free.

And when I dashed home to pack, I’d already be feeling the scratchy throat of the stinking cold I was about to get. Scroll forwards 36 hours and I’d be feeling terrible, exhausted and totally deflated that I was ill (again) on my long-awaited holiday. If you’re sick, you’re not on holiday, you’re sick…

And of course, I wasn’t the only disappointed one – family and friends felt the brunt too and worse, they’d often seen it coming (again). And before you knew it I was back at work needing a holiday…..

So what do I wish I’d realised earlier?

Live to work or work to live? A more empowering mindset is that holiday is a Top Priority (TP) to ensure you’re able to be happy and successful, including being at work; rather than a break from work. How do you think of your holiday?
There’s a perfect holiday. Spend just 5 minutes writing down what it looks like for you. What are you doing? (Reconnecting with self / loved ones, relaxing, adventuring, eating & drinking healthily, reading, sleeping…). What are you not doing? (Social media, work, calls, emails, eat & drinking, worrying…..). Then consider what needs to be true to achieve it?
Ask yourself this question – how would the company cope if you just disappeared overnight? Seriously, think about them doing it themselves, asking a colleague, engaging your team, delaying, simplifying or simply not doing it? They’d cope, right? Because you’re replaceable.
A truth about teams – they might even like you but they love it when you go away because they get more profile, responsibility and a break from you. It’s great when you come back refreshed, de-stressed and in great shape to lead them again.
Time is precious – Plan what you’ll spend your remaining time on, rather than how you’ll get everything done before you go and plan in at least a day of slack for surprises. Start with the most important items then, when there’s no more time available, draw a line and refer to Questions #3 & #4 for next steps.
Saying “no” is liberating – Don’t be distracted by late, unreasonable requests as you approach your last day – it doesn’t have to be your problem. Refer them to #3 & #4 to help them with ideas.
Set an out of office – I’m now on my annual leave until [date] and won’t be reading my emails or answering my phone. In a real emergency please contact my stand-in who may be able to help you. Be brave, without you, they’ll soon be thinking of #3 and #4.
Nominate a stand-in – even if they can’t cover your work whilst you’re away, just make sure they understand your expectations.
Set high expectations – Clearly communicate the ‘life or death’ criteria required to interrupt your holiday. I evolved mine into “only disturb me on holiday if my career is at risk”. Remember, your holiday really is about you.
Leave guilt free – knowing that when you come back calmer, rejuvenated and reconnected, you’ll be much more productive in the office and at home.

Your holiday matters; do more than just survive it.

About Ollie

An ICF certified coach and qualified accountant, Ollie uses his 25 years of blue chip leadership experience to coach Finance leaders and teams to help them achieve their goals. Contact him at ollie@olliesmedley.com to start a conversation.

www.olliesmedley.com

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