Seven Summer Steps for Essential Well-Being

As a leader, taking time off is not only essential for your own well-being but also for creating a positive workplace culture where rest and rejuvenation are valued.  Time off is an opportunity to take care of your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Here are the seven steps you can follow to take time off from work for your essential well-being:

1. Be Intentional and Schedule Your Vacations

• Be sure to look ahead and pencil in when you want to take your vacations and where you want to go

• Be intentional about scheduling to ensure the year won’t end without you taking time away from work

2. Be the Example

• Remember that your actions as a leader significantly influence your team's behavior and attitude. This applies to taking time off work as well. By modeling the behavior of prioritizing well-being and breaks, you inspire your team to do the same.

• Remember that taking time off isn't just good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health; it also contributes to a healthier workplace culture.

3. Schedule Buffer Days Just For You

• Schedule your time off to include buffer days before and after your vacation. These buffer days allow you to ease into and out of your time off without the pressure of meetings or urgent tasks.

• Use the first buffer day to wrap up loose ends and communicate your absence to colleagues. The last buffer day helps you transition back into work mode gradually.

4. Set Expectations

• Set expectations with everyone involved: employees, co-workers, clients, vendors, and those you report to prior to your time away.  Communicate your intentions and protocols for handling potential issues during your absence.

• Follow the example of successful disconnectors by explicitly stating your intention of no contact during your time away. Delegate responsibilities to handle relevant needs and update your voicemail and out-of-office email messages accordingly.

• Convey your intention to disconnect and recharge on your out-of-office message will increase the odds that others will respect your boundaries and minimize unnecessary contact.

5. Truly Disconnect

• Resist the urge to check work emails or take work-related calls while on vacation. Set clear boundaries and stick to them.

• Use this time to recharge, relax, and focus on personal well-being. Trust that your team can handle any urgent matters in your absence.

• Don’t fear disconnection, view it as an opportunity for growth.  Get reconnected with yourself, your needs and wants, and take this time for fresh ideas, creativity, and renewed energy.

6. Acknowledge the Fallacy of “Indispensability”

• Understand that no one is truly indispensable.  Even the most influential leaders can be replaced.  The world keeps turning, and organizations adapt.

• Reflect on time when you or another leader has taken time off and how the company still continued to move forward.

7.  Returning to Work Successfully

• Avoid diving straight into a busy schedule once your return from your time away. Give yourself a buffer day to catch up on emails, assess priorities, and reconnect with your team.

• Reflect on your time off and identify any changes you'd like to make in your work habits. Use this fresh perspective to improve your leadership approach.

Remember, taking time off isn't a sign of weakness; it's a strategic move that benefits both you and your organization. Prioritize your health, set boundaries, and lead by example to create a healthier work environment for everyone.

If you need help prioritizing taking time off or acknowledging the fallacy of indispensability, consider hiring a coach or joining us on September 21st at 1 p.m. Eastern for, “Charting Your Course: Building the Life You Want.”

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 6/1/2024

(1) Vacationing Like A Boss: A Leader’s Guide To Taking Time Off - Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2023/05/02/vacationing-like-a-boss-a-leaders-guide-to-taking-time-off/.

(2) Vacationing Like A Boss: A Leader’s Guide To Taking Time Off - Forbes. https://bing.com/search?q=how+leaders+prioritize+taking+time+off.

(3) How to take time off: 7 tips to prioritize your health and business. https://www.godaddy.com/resources/mindset/how-to-take-time-off.

(4) How to Take the Stress Out of Taking Time Off - Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2018/08/how-to-take-the-stress-out-of-taking-time-off.