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

• Managing Holidays on Remote Teams
• Crucial Conversations: Navigating Communication Boundaries in the New Age of Remote Work
• Global Office, Family Home: Remote Work Lessons from a Digital Nomad Family with Chris Stroud

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
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Teammate
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Team
• The Kevin Eikenberry Group

Your Hosts

Wayne Turmel: Master Trainer and Coach for The Kevin Eikenberry Group, co-author of The Long-Distance Leader: Rules for Remarkable Remote Leadership and The Long-Distance Teammate: Stay Engaged and Connected While Working Anywhere, and trainer of remote teams for over twenty years. Read More...

Marisa Eikenberry: Web developer, podcast editor, and technology support specialist for The Kevin Eikenberry Group. Has worked on a hybrid team for over 9 years. Read more...

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