Do you feel as though the world (aka: the internet) is sending you mixed messages this time of year?
On the one hand, it's all hustle, hustle, hustle. Get ahead of the pack for 2019. If you snooze you will definitely lose. But we're also receiving contrasting messages. These encourage us to slow down, reflect and get ready for the holidays. Switch your work brain off and take a break after a long, hard year.
When it comes to work and holidays, is it really all or nothing? No, it doesn't have to be. I've long advocated the working holiday as a solution that gives people (like me) the best of both worlds. Taking a break and slowing down is important. It allows us to recharge our batteries and regain energy and motivation. Taking a working holiday allows us to put this extra energy to good use. To think about our work challenges, our personal development needs or our goals in an environment, and at a pace, that allows creativity to flourish and ideas to flow. It is a solution to honour that we aren’t our work selves one day and our non-work selves the next, but a harmonious blend of the two.
Some might think this is all a consequence of running my own business. But I've always been this way, even when I worked in corporate roles. I've never taken a holiday, in the true sense of the word. My brain is always switched on.
Why?
In short, I love what I do. It's a vocation. My purpose. I have a long term vision for the people I serve and the work I do. I am always moving forward and looking to learn, grow and develop myself or my work.
Do you know that feeling? If you do, then you may find the either or options of "keep hustling" versus "switch off" quite stressful. I know I used to. That was until I realised that somewhere in the middle provided me with a less stressful option. In fact, once I started having working holidays, I found greater energy for both work and life.
I know everyone's working holiday looks different, but for me this year, it will go a bit like this.
With my clients winding down for the year, my calendar opens up. I'll take advantage of less meetings to do some pre-Christmas baking. I'll tie up the urgent and important tasks for 2018. I'll also spend some time with my family over the summer break.
After Christmas, we'll pack up the car and head for a family break at the coast. The laptop packed, I'm ready for planning out my calendar for 2019. There will be writing - these blog posts, and of course, working on my book due for release early in the new year. I will be reading. Working through the unread pile that is always high. I will be making time to dip back into A Beautiful Constraint, my favourite book of the year. There will be a novel, or two, thrown in for good measure. There will be times at the beach or doing a leisurely jigsaw puzzle. All the while my brain will be thinking and idea-storming for my 2019 programs.
For you, it may not be specific work tasks that you want to accomplish during this time. Instead it may be the perfect time for some reflection on what went well during the year and what you want to change in the coming year. You may listen to some podcasts, catch up on some reading or explore areas for personal development and growth. [see the bonus material below for some podcast and reading ideas]
I find taking time out from the normal routine of life, and spending more time with family, so valuable. When combined with the freed up head space for thinking (really thinking) about my work, it is my happy place. Getting away from the city at this time of year is great. Using the time away to do some forward planning and starting the new year brimming with ideas and feeling organised relaxes me.
Do you need to take your foot off the pedal and take a break over these holidays? Does the thought of stopping altogether give you a panic attack? If this sounds like you, then why don't you plan your own version of a working holiday this season?