The Art of Truly Disconnecting: Why Holiday Should Mean Holiday

As the school term ends and the holiday season approaches, many of us are looking forward to some much-needed time off. But how often do we truly disconnect from work during our holidays? If you're like most professionals, you might find yourself checking emails or worrying about projects even while you're supposed to be relaxing. My aim in this short article is to encourage you to reconsider this behaviour. It's fundamentally a bad habit that we all need to break, not only for our own well-being but also to role model the right behaviours for our teams

 The Importance of Recharging

Taking a real break from work is essential for our mental and physical well-being. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, employees who take holidays are less likely to experience burnout, are more productive, and report higher levels of job satisfaction. Moreover, a survey by Project: Time Off, found that 64% of employees who take holidays return to work feeling refreshed and energised.

 The Myth of the Indispensable Employee

Many of us fall into the trap of believing that our workplace can't function without us. We feel indispensable and worry that things will fall apart in our absence. However, the true mark of a successful leader is the ability to build a team that can operate independently. Trusting your team to handle things while you're away not only helps you recharge but also empowers them and fosters a culture of trust and autonomy.

Trust is a cornerstone of any successful team. How you run your team throughout the year, is what matters.. Give your team the autonomy to make decisions and solve problems, which in turn drives their motivation and confidence and fosters a sense of responsibility and trust within the team.

 Why We Check Emails on Holiday

Despite our best intentions, many of us still find ourselves checking emails during our time off. This compulsion can stem from a fear of missing out, a desire to stay in control, or simply a habit we've developed over time. However, constantly checking in with work can undermine the benefits of taking a break, leading to higher stress levels and decreased enjoyment of our holiday.

My personal story

I have to admit, I've been guilty of wanting to feel indispensable during my holidays. A few years ago, I even agreed to write a full proposal and pitch while on holiday. What was I thinking!! Not only did I lose the pitch, but I also regret the impact it had on my family time. It was a hard lesson learned, and I vowed never to make that mistake again.

Since then, I’ve worked really hard to coach colleagues so they are fully equipped to pick up work in my absence. I’ve also stopped the escalation culture, empowering my team to solve their own problems and make their own decisions every day. Hopefully they know, I will always have their back on the decision they made. It means, any absence by me isn’t a deal breaker.

Plus, when did holidays get so expensive? I have realised, I need to get full value for money by truly taking full advantage of the time off. I also acknowledge, I really need to disconnect from work completely when I’m away. I work hard, and I most definitely need time to recharge the batteries. This new thinking has not only improved my well-being but also made my holidays much more enjoyable and meaningful.

The picture I have used for this blog was taken 6 years ago on one of our family holidays. I can’t quite believe where the time has gone. My children are now teenagers. It acts as a timely reminder that the cliche is very much true - time goes so fast, and I need to cherish every second I have with them. As a working Mum, holidays are THE time I get to reconnect with them in a special way. I need to be all in and fully present.

“I’d love to switch off on holiday Jo, but how do I practically go about doing it?”

Here are some practical tips for making sure your holiday is a real break from work:

Value Your Time: Recognise that your personal time is incredibly valuable and non-negotiable. Taking a break is essential for recharging your batteries and enhancing performance upon your return. Plus, if you have children, you're creating lasting memories together, that should take precedent.

Plan and set boundaries: Before you leave, let your team, customers, clients know you will be away. Plan the project or the deliverable in a way that works with your holiday. Don’t be apologetic on this. Stand your ground. Let them know you won’t be available, and if you can, have a colleague be their point of contact for emergencies only.

Turn Off Notifications: Disable work-related notifications on your phone and other devices to reduce the temptation to check emails. Better still don’t take the work phone or the lap top with you. It’s totally liberating, albeit a little scary the first time.

Fully Engage in Holiday Activities: Plan activities that will help you stay present and engaged with your time off, whether it's exploring a new place, spending time with family, or simply relaxing with a good book. I find during the first few days, I’m still in work mode, and then I start to relax after day 4. If this is you, front load your holiday with activities that stop your mind wandering into work.

So did I succeed in changing your mind? As we head into the holiday season, let's commit to truly disconnecting during our time off. By setting clear boundaries, trusting our teams, and fully engaging in our holidays, we can recharge our batteries and return to work with renewed energy and creativity.

Remember, a successful leader isn't one who is always available but one who empowers their team to thrive independently.