The holiday season is here, but are you really taking time off? In this episode of The Long-Distance Worklife, Wayne and Marisa dive into the importance of using your PTO, setting boundaries with work, and creating intentional plans to recharge during the holidays. Learn strategies for resisting the urge to check work emails, protecting your time, and collaborating with your team to ensure everyone gets the break they deserve. Plus, discover why unplugging is vital for your mental health and productivity.
Whether you're struggling with holiday guilt, a recovering workaholic, or simply unsure how to navigate PTO as a remote worker, this episode has actionable advice to help you thrive.
Key Takeaways
1. Plan Your PTO Today: If you have unused PTO, schedule it now. Use it to rest, recharge, and reflect on your accomplishments.
2. Set Boundaries: Silence notifications, turn off work alerts, and resist the urge to check your inbox during time off.
3. Be Intentional: Create small plans that bring you joy, whether it's reading a book, enjoying coffee dates, or scheduling social activities.
4. Communicate with Your Team: Plan ahead with colleagues to ensure adequate coverage during holiday breaks. Use tools like Slack or email scheduling to respect others' time off.
5. Unplug Guilt-Free: Remember, taking PTO isn't just a perk—it's essential for maintaining work-life balance and long-term productivity.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Why Americans struggle with taking PTO
03:15 The benefits of PTO for work-life balance
05:00 Personal stories of managing time off and holiday stress
08:00 Small joys: Planning activities for your time off
12:00 Tips for disconnecting from work during PTO
14:30 The power of scheduling and protecting boundaries
18:12 Strategies for ensuring adequate team coverage during holidays
22:00 Final thoughts: Why you need to take your PTO now!
Related Episodes
Additional Resources
- Learn more about Wayne Turmel
- Email Wayne Turmel
- Connect with Wayne Turmel on LinkedIn
- Learn more about Marisa Eikenberry
- Email Marisa Eikenberry
- Connect with Marisa Eikenberry on LinkedIn
- Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Leader
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