Weekends and holidays shouldn’t be time to recover. They should be time to rejoice. Burnout cultures exhaust us through the week and force us to recharge during our time off. Healthy cultures provide daily space to refuel. Some perspectives that have helped me refuel lately:
Over the past few years, I’ve started instituting for myself the concept of “soft vacations”. I have 2 weeks “hard” vacation with my family, but I cordon off one week before and one week after during which I take no meetings or calls (save for the odd “emergency”), and use the time to empty the pipeline, so that when I leave on vacation, it is with a clear conscience. Doing so means I don’t have to “wind down” for 2-3-4 days before I actually feel on vacation. The week after is useful to catch up on emails from vacation, and gradually wind back up. It has been a game changer for me.
I do the same, but just the day before and after vacation is usually enough for me. If you work in a culture that won't honor the blocked time, consider making it look like part of your vacation on your calendar, and use the time primarily for creative tasks and to read and prioritize work; limit communications that will make it appear that you're working on vacation.
Oh man. This is so true. Time for recovery, not laziness and chilling only. I truly admire your thoughts and writing. Thanks for being one of the beautiful voices that make our days brighter Adam! Keep it up!
I like to tell people in advance: your no 1 priority may not be my no 1 priority. You’ll have to deal with it just as I have to deal with it with other people.
Thank you! “Your Email Does Not Constitute My Emergency”--I had a manager recently who told me that (while training) I shouldn’t have emailed because it was not an emergency. I was dumbfounded. Emails--even IMs--are never intended to be responded to immediately (unless an urgent mode is used or unless followed up with a phone call). Looking forward to diving into these resources.
Loved your op ed in the NYTimes today. I kind of feel the same way about politicians as I do about the police. Perhaps our police force should also be a “draft “. I’m of the mind ,like politicians ,if someone really, really, wants to be a cop they probably shouldn’t be one.
This line just entered my brain at exactly the needed moment today: "How quickly people answer you is rarely a sign of how much they care about you. It’s usually a reflection of how much they have on their plate."
If I focus on what I bring to the table rather than what I take away and if I try to help someone each day; energy is created rather than being sapped.
Over the past few years, I’ve started instituting for myself the concept of “soft vacations”. I have 2 weeks “hard” vacation with my family, but I cordon off one week before and one week after during which I take no meetings or calls (save for the odd “emergency”), and use the time to empty the pipeline, so that when I leave on vacation, it is with a clear conscience. Doing so means I don’t have to “wind down” for 2-3-4 days before I actually feel on vacation. The week after is useful to catch up on emails from vacation, and gradually wind back up. It has been a game changer for me.
I do the same, but just the day before and after vacation is usually enough for me. If you work in a culture that won't honor the blocked time, consider making it look like part of your vacation on your calendar, and use the time primarily for creative tasks and to read and prioritize work; limit communications that will make it appear that you're working on vacation.
I often notice that my co-workers who respond to emails faster than anyone else often provide a less helpful response than those who respond later.
Oh man. This is so true. Time for recovery, not laziness and chilling only. I truly admire your thoughts and writing. Thanks for being one of the beautiful voices that make our days brighter Adam! Keep it up!
I like to tell people in advance: your no 1 priority may not be my no 1 priority. You’ll have to deal with it just as I have to deal with it with other people.
Thank you! “Your Email Does Not Constitute My Emergency”--I had a manager recently who told me that (while training) I shouldn’t have emailed because it was not an emergency. I was dumbfounded. Emails--even IMs--are never intended to be responded to immediately (unless an urgent mode is used or unless followed up with a phone call). Looking forward to diving into these resources.
I agree, healthy cultures provide daily space for refuel.
Loved your op ed in the NYTimes today. I kind of feel the same way about politicians as I do about the police. Perhaps our police force should also be a “draft “. I’m of the mind ,like politicians ,if someone really, really, wants to be a cop they probably shouldn’t be one.
This line just entered my brain at exactly the needed moment today: "How quickly people answer you is rarely a sign of how much they care about you. It’s usually a reflection of how much they have on their plate."
So much to unpack and listen to in this issue. Am excited dive in. Ps Jason - that sounds like a very wise strategy.
I’m sure there are books and articles that have interviewed our great leaders and what makes them great. Why reinvent the wheel?
The one thing a group of great leaders all had in common is self discipline.
No integrity and not honest. Our soldiers
Fought and died so that these so called leaders can make A mess of America. What a slap in the face to our soldiers !!!
Angry and fed up!
If I focus on what I bring to the table rather than what I take away and if I try to help someone each day; energy is created rather than being sapped.
LIKE