The holidays are just around the corner for many. After weeks of counting down, the time has finally come: you're almost on holiday. But before it finally happens, you look up like a mountain against all the work you still have to do. How on earth are you going to get all that work done before you go on vacation? There are only 8 hours in a working day and you still have 1001 tasks to complete. Help! Is the sweat running down your forehead yet? No worries: Kenneth Smit to the rescue! In this blog we give you 5 tips so that you can go on holiday on time and close your office door with peace of mind.
So that and 1. Make a to-do list
You probably already make a to-do list regularly (monthly, weekly or daily). Grab your to-do list and see what you can complete before your holiday. Do this well in advance, for example a month before you go on holiday. Ask yourself: what can I still complete myself and which tasks should I transfer to a colleague? A realistic view is important: be aware that you are not a supreme god. You can only do 1 task at a time. Decide for yourself what you are going to do before you go on holiday and what can wait until after your holiday.
And before you go on holiday, complete your to-do list for after your holiday. This way you know exactly what to expect after your holiday. This gives you peace of mind and makes it easier for you to get back into it.
2. Set your back-to-office date a few days later
Before you go on vacation, set an out-of-office notification on your work email. In this notification, deliberately put your return a few days later (for example two). How many days later is best to fill in depends on the amount of space you need to properly process your emails. By deliberately entering the date a little later, you will have more time for your inbox when you return and you will be able to prioritize more easily. And another advantage: it also helps against stress and anxiety because external parties may expect you to respond to their emails immediately upon your return.
3. Don't schedule appointments
To go on holiday with peace of mind, do not schedule any appointments. For example, don't schedule appointments two days before your last working day. This allows you to use your remaining time to check off your to-do list. And by not scheduling appointments, you don't create new tasks and you can fully focus on the remaining tasks. Is it not possible to schedule appointments at your job? Then keep it to a minimum.
4. Arrange a replacement
Someone has to take over your duties during your holiday. Arrange which of your colleagues will be the point of contact for the work you do. That person must also know exactly what your position entails and what current projects you are working on. Communicate your tasks clearly so that the person knows exactly what he or she needs to do. And mention the name and contact details of your replacement in your out-of-office notification so that important matters continue as normal.
5. Leave your work at home
A holiday is a holiday and that means you are not busy with your work. Don't tempt yourself to work by opening your work email or checking the intranet. Because once you start working, it's only a few hours away... Can't work be done without you during your holiday? Then agree that you will be available at fixed times. When your colleagues know that you are available every working day from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., you have the rest of the day to yourself. Then you can take a refreshing dip, take a safari trip or go shopping on the boulevard.
Ready to see how Snowflake works?
With the above tips you can go on holiday with peace of mind. Do you want to keep that nice holiday feeling after your holiday and remain in control of your own agenda? Then follow one time management training.