Planning for holidays within the business!
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It’s been a tough twelve months, and Christmas is approaching! The long break…ahh bliss, but what are you leaving and what will you come back too! Christmas can be different as many organisations close down whereas standard annual leave can be for some, more worrying! But should it be?
Balancing holiday plans with business responsibilities can be challenging, but it’s manageable with some planning. Here are a few tips to help you to prepare.
Always plan ahead…schedule your tasks and prioritize them. Identify critical deadlines and ensure they’re met before you leave. Make sure that other key outputs are for after your return and allow a few days of review for when you first come back!
Delegate responsibly and assign tasks to your appropriate team members. Make sure they have clear instructions and understand their roles while you’re away. A chance to develop your team but in terms of empowerment consider parameters where needed!
Set boundaries, and let your colleagues or clients know about your holiday plans in advance. Set clear expectations regarding your availability and response times during your absence. This is particularly important if there is a full business shut down.
Use technology where possible…use tools like email auto-responders or scheduling software to manage communication and automate routine tasks. Can some be pre-set?
Stay organized and create a checklist of essential tasks before your departure. Ensure everything is in order and that you’ve left instructions or contact details for emergencies. In terms of the latter, have a plan in place for urgent situations. Provide your deputy with a way to contact you if needed but establish clear boundaries for what constitutes an emergency. This is not to abdicate responsibility but if absolutely necessary!
If you want to have periodic contact, consider having an agreed schedule where you can check emails or messages periodically.
The most important thing is to relax and unwind. Once you’ve done your due diligence in preparing, allow yourself to disconnect and enjoy your holiday. Remember, taking time off is crucial for productivity and well-being in the long run. It also allows for an important opportunity for your team.
Finally, no one is indispensable! If your team can’t run in your absence, consider how you are developing them!
By implementing these steps, you can strike a balance between enjoying your holiday and staying on top of your business responsibilities.
“If you want to do a few small things right, do them yourself. If you want to do great things and make a big impact, learn to delegate.”
John c. Maxwell