'Tis the Season to Recharge
"Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is rest" - Dalai Lama
Hello!
How are you this week?
We've been noticing something interesting in our conversations with leaders lately - there's an underlying tension between finishing strong and the desperate need for a break. Sound familiar?
Maybe you're caught in that classic end-of-year paradox: racing to meet deadlines while your mind is already on holiday mode. Perhaps you're wondering if you can squeeze in just one more project before the break?
Let's talk about why taking a proper break isn't just nice to have - it's essential for your 2025 success.
What the data tells us:
Research consistently shows that taking proper breaks leads to increased productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction. A study by the Harvard Business Review found that employees who take all their vacation time are 6.5% more likely to get promoted than those who leave days unused.
When it goes wrong:
Early in my career as a junior lawyer in Sydney, I learned a harsh lesson about holiday boundaries. With a carefully planned two-week break to visit family in Hobart approaching, I was ready for some much-needed reconnection time with loved ones.
Then, the day before my leave was to start, a large financial transaction landed on my desk. The Partner's message was clear: cancel the holiday and stay in Sydney. My husband flew home without me while I spent two intense days diving into due diligence work.
The irony? The transaction was suddenly cancelled, and while I made it home for Christmas, the unnecessary stress and anxiety had already taken their toll. The experience taught me a valuable lesson about the importance of protecting our time off - not just for ourselves, but for our relationships and wellbeing.
A simple solution:
Here are our top 3 strategies for making your holiday break count:
1. Set clear boundaries – Before you leave, communicate your availability (or lack thereof) clearly to your team and clients. Set up a detailed out-of-office message and stick to it. Remember, emergencies during the holiday season are rarely actual emergencies.
2. Practice the art of digital detox – Choose specific times to completely disconnect. Maybe it's during Christmas dinner, or perhaps it's the entire week between Christmas and New Year's. Whatever you choose, commit to it fully.
3. Plan your return strategically – Block out your first day back for planning and catching up on emails. This prevents the post-holiday blues and helps you start 2025 with purpose rather than panic.
The result:
When you truly disconnect and recharge, you return with fresh perspectives, renewed energy, and often solutions to problems that seemed insurmountable before your break.
We would love to hear your thoughts: How do you plan to make the most of your holiday break? What's your strategy for disconnecting? Drop us a comment or send us a message.
If you found this helpful, forward it to a colleague who needs permission to take a real break. And subscribe to our newsletter, so you never miss an update.
Thanks for reading!
See you next time,
Amy + Kiri
