I’m writing this week’s post from a lovely home we have rented for a few days in Margaret River, WA. I’m here with my better half and some close friends. It’s our last day before we all head home and return to work-mode.
Whilst somewhat sad to be leaving, maybe it’s the finite nature of any holiday that makes it special? We have had a mixture of fun, laughter and relaxing down-time. Not to mention visiting a few wineries.
Regular breaks like this are a big part of my overall approach to work. I’ve found the right rhythm of time off throughout the year, to ensure that when I am at work, I can give it everything I’ve got. To ensure that I bring my best self to my job, and deliver decent work for clients who hire me.
As a manager/leader, one of the questions you should be asking not only yourself but each of your team members is:
IS YOUR NEXT BREAK IN THE DIARY?
When I was managing large teams, I asked this question a lot. I encouraged each of my direct reports to take a break of at least a long weekend, ONCE A QUARTER. Plus one larger holiday (say, two weeks or more) once a year. Having these regular breaks kept them fresh, happy, gave them something non-work related to look forward to, provided a sensible balance (work/life) and contributed to ensuring they didn’t burn ourselves out. As said breaks did for me. Like you, I find they are a chance to focus on the more important things in life, such as health, family/friends and simple fun outside of work.
We are all different and we each have our own recipe of what works best when it comes to breaks and holidays. But the above question is a simple yet worthwhile one to ask your staff. It shows you care about their life outside of work (provided you ask it with genuine interest & concern) and that you are someone who, like them, may value work a lot but recognise it’s not the be-all and end-all in life.
It’s healthy for all of us to step off the work treadmill now and again. On Monday, I will open my diary and book in my next break. Even the greatest sprinters in the world eventually have to walk. I figure we all deserve a chance to get our breath back.
success, but also that most elusive of things: happiness at work.
