Leaving work to go on holiday can be stressful. Moira Dunne outlines how to prepare effectively so you can really enjoy your break
The week before we go on holiday is often the busiest of the year. We become super-productive as we crack through our ‘To Do’ list to clear tasks before we leave.
The hard deadline of that final day provides a sharp focus. This helps us stay on track and avoid the usual distractions. I bet you don’t take an extended coffee break on the afternoon before your holiday!
Here are three key tips to optimise your last week at work before your holiday.
1. Prioritise, prioritise, prioritise
Most people I know have more work to do than they have time to do it. It is important to prioritise every week, but particularly the week before you finish up.
Consider the work you have to do and decide:
- What is important (high priority) and what is nice to have (low priority)?
- What needs to be done this week, and what can be pushed out?
- What can be handed over to someone else?
The looming deadline of a holiday helps us act more assertively. We can’t say yes to everything as we won’t be at the desk to complete it. So, we negotiate priorities and deadlines because we have no choice.
2. Capture everything
In the final days before your holiday, you will be really on top of your workload. Capture everything now so that you get the benefit when you return. Update all your project plans and task lists.
This frees your brain to help you switch off quickly. It also helps you get back up to speed when you return refreshed and relaxed from your holiday.
3. Plan the first week back
Capitalise on that high-focus period before your break by planning your first days back in the office before you finish up. You may want to ease back into work with a low-key schedule or hit the ground running with some key meetings. Either way, planning ahead will help you switch off during your time off, so you can really rest and recharge.
Moira Dunne is a Productivity Consultant and founder of beproductive.ie
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