How can you take time off for personal development without feeling guilty?

The obvious truth is, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Planning gives your foresight and focus. It helps you to properly monitor and evaluate actions taken and sets you up for extraordinary success. It is noteworthy that everyone has a goal but it is only those who plan and work accordingly that achieve their goals. From experience, I've realised that not planning makes you overwhelmed, frustrated amd disorganised. Hence, to effectively pursue personal branding, you need to plan. Know what skills you want to improve or acquire, how you can acquire them, the resources you'll need, those who may be involves or somewhat responsible foe aspects of your pursuit etc. Have a detailed and feasible plan and you'll excel.

Valuing continuous learning, I see personal development as crucial, akin to not pouring from an empty glass. It’s an investment, not a guilt source, even amid life's demands. Planning ahead ensures balance. My experience juggling a course, new job, and parenting taught me the importance of equitably prioritizing tasks to manage without guilt. Development can be simple, from micro-skills to reading for growth, and sharing goals often brings support. Yet, determination is key, especially when support lacks, highlighting self-compassion’s role. Investing in oneself isn’t selfish but necessary for long-term success and well-being. Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint.

Vacation and sick days are part of a company culture. Taking a break from work to remind ourselves that mental health, emotional, family and our physical well-being is important. We must always remember our value. We will be refreshed and productive after vacation!

As an administrative assistant, it is understandable to feel a sense of responsibility and sometimes guilt when considering time away from work. However, some ways to go about this is to: i. Clearly communicate your intentions with your supervisor or manager explaining the purpose of your time off and how it aligns with your professional goals and the benefit it can bring to your role, your team or organisation in the long run. ii. Familiarize yourself with policies regarding personal development and time off as many organisations encourage continuous learning and may have specific programs in place to support employees. iii. Prioritise self-care because a healthier, more skilled and motivated employee is an asset to any organisation.

As a vital member of your team, you, the Administrative Assistant should be familiar with your calendar and that of your company. Plan ahead! If there are any significant commitments that might be overlooked, arrangements should be made to address them at a later date. It's advisable to inform a colleague in the department who can cover for you during your absence and provide them with necessary information about expected tasks. While you are away from your job, it's prudent to periodically check your company email just to stay informed about any new developments. Above all, enjoy your time off. Relax. Rewind. Refocus. Don't feel guilty about taking time off, you deserve it. A healthy and well rested employee is a more productive employee.

Setting boundaries is imperative in booking time off and not feeling guilty about it. As we continue to work remotely, it can be easy to get into a routine of always 'being on'. We must stop! We are not robots that can go on and on. We need to take time for ourselves so we are refreshed not only for work, but for other non-work activities and priorities.

A mi me ha funcionado fijar un horario específico para mí actividad deportiva, y después mi tiempo de calidad con mi familia. Sin dedicar ni un pensamiento al trabajo. La jornada laboral también es de dedicación exclusiva para proyectos laborales. Así respeto cada momento y soy honesta con mi implicación.

Setting boundaries is essential. Be committeed to your job does not mean that it is "you". A well-balanced professional/personnal life is essential. When your working day is over, you should not read or reply to your e-mails, or professional phone calls. Time off is essential to be 100% dedicated to your job without stress, thus be more efficient.

A mi me ha resultado útil tener claro los procesos y quienes intervienen para así tener los limites de mi contribución dentro del mismo, y eso permite que al momento de disfrutar de un tiempo libre este confiada en que no afecto negativamente el mismo.

Desde el punto de vista teórico suena interesante cumplir estos límites, sin embargo no suele ser tan fácil para todos cumplir con ello. Por ejemplo una temporada estuve trabajando remoto y estudiaba , en mi caso tenia un horario de salida de mis quehaceres laborales , pero la responsabilidad de querer cumplir con terminar las obligaciones pendientes eran mas grandes , que al final terminaba trabajado dos horas más y aplazaba mis quehaceres personales . Muy tarde me di cuenta que este trabajo y sacrificio extra ser "camiseta" a la empresa al final no es reconocido ni valorado por el empleador . Así que aconsejo que aprecien y dediquen mucho en poner esos límites para sus metas personales

Many years ago a bank I worked for instigated an education scheme that allowed certain members of staff to come out of work and study at a particular university. Their colleagues had to work around this, and new staff were recruited to cover their work. In this era, companies encourage employees to engage with personal development/courses in a more convenient environment without having to disrupt their jobs too much. However, I know colleagues who have taken up courses, and a manager delegates the daily jobs to others.

Never feeling guilty for having a break from work every now and then, since simply we all need it but we have to choose the right timing to avoid any conflicts during our absence. How come if this break is scheduled for personal development and improvement? this will add value to yourself and your work as well, you will recharge your energy and returning back to work motivated for new skills to apply.

I agree with this and it has really helped me reduce stress and also assisted the person that was asked to supervise in my absence. All I need to do was to state the tasks to be done and those delegated to take control of the tasks. All the supervisor needs to do is to do follow up and ask for feedback.

I must say, I always forget this part. I usually just stay late and finish as much as possible, but it's not practical. If you can delegate/automate, DO THAT! Don't be afraid to use tools that are available to you. BUT, be careful not to "make use of tools" that AREN'T available to you and therefore risk being in trouble or having set a bad example or seem to be unprofessional in your conduct and having to face the music when you return.

By finding a substitute can avoid the workflow being disrupted, a smooth sailing workflow can increase productivity and success of the task

A good result in your personal development project is noteworthy and will hopefully add positively to your CV. As suggested, sharing your insights and experiences with colleagues/managers can be mutually beneficial. The only note of care is that some hiring managers are particular, and may believe a person intent on personal self-development might disrupt a team's balance. Whilst that might sound odd, some managers may want to hire a person just to do a job, and might not appreciate a person who takes time out for their own education.

I am going through this experience now as I can measure and appreciate my boss for giving me time to achieve all I have achieved in the last six months. The opportunity given to me has also equipped me to be come a better and more experienced leader.

Personal Development = YOU! Prioritize choosing a subject that will make a difference in YOUR life (build your confidence, earn a raise, time management, learn to manage your feelings better -you know -like setting proper boundaries & so on (WORTH IT! Google "the Boundaries series") and stuff like how to interact with colleagues better, write better reports or emails etc. Brush up on your language skills etc. etc. the list can go on and on.. And then secondly: Think of the impact it can have (positively & negatively) in your work environment, your social or family life - the other people in your life that may be impacted. Base your final decision on the subject with the most pros & the least cons OR ones that you can live with.

In the whole self-improvement gig, give some time to reflection and review. Take a breather to mull over how far you've come, celebrate the wins, and learn from the faceplants. Make it a habit to revisit your goals; it's like tweaking your game plan to match the plot twists in your life story. Think of it as adjusting the sails on your personal development journey, staying in sync with life's unpredictable beat.

Revise consigo mesmo o quão importante esse momento foi para o seu desenvolvimento pessoal, e o quanto influenciará em sua carreira.

Completing courses and outside education is stimulating, and can help a person reflect on what they can accomplish. It can give them new goals, or just enhance their knowledge in the position they were already in.

All the above is vital just making a schedule in planning first . It's being simply good to one self and appreciating all others.

Remind yourself that taking time off for personal development is essential for your growth and well-being. Practice self-compassion and let go of any guilt associated with prioritizing your own development.

My recent experience in the quest for further knowledge has not only equipped me but my work and the people around me. My orientation has changed positively and this is also yielding positive results within the school community.

When it comes to personal development, talk is good, but action is gold. It's all about seamlessly integrating newfound knowledge and skills into your daily grind. Apply what you've learned in the real world, turning insights into tangible results. Think of it as not just having the tools in your toolbox but actually using them to build something remarkable. The synergy of learning and application is where the real magic happens, transforming theory into a powerhouse of practical prowess.

Taking time off for development will never feel guilty for.. When you need some space and find it, you will came back with better energy..

Taking time off is very important for me, it improves my health and the overall efficiency towards my goal and also increases productivity, you can also reward yourself with a sweet treat or a favourite meal.

The act of appointing substitutes allows other colleagues to be able to count on you to return the favor when they need to take a leave.

A vida é uma só! Que sejamos capazes de nos cuidar com carinho e atenção, tanto quanto olhamos para nossas tarefas no trabalho e as consideramos importantes.

Taking time off is important to clean your head, enhance your health and develop your thoughts. It is also important to refine your creativity and increase your energy, as well as improve the productivity.

I don’t see why one has to feel guilty about developing oneself. In fact, it is an integral part of professional development. Gone are the days that required a person to put in every single minute to work related activities. With technology changing everyday, if we don’t allocate time to develop ourselves and keep us updated, we will be out of the race. This is an age of continuous learning.. day after day

In my 20+ years of experience, I can tell you that guilt is an emotion that doesn’t really belong in the workplace. I have always put learning new things, including coding, software development, and all kinds of other topics as a priority for me as a person, and for me as a professional. It’s important to be strategic on whatever one is choosing to learn and it’s crucial to time that learning when it does not interfere with the flow of work. A great admin knows how to plan. So guilt is off the table and learning is on it so that we are better for the executives and the teams and the companies that we support. #maresaidit #EA #csuite

To take time off for personal development without guilt, I prioritize my growth as an investment in my future. I communicate openly with my team, emphasizing the benefits of self-improvement for both myself and the organization. By setting clear boundaries, planning ahead, and delegating tasks, I ensure minimal disruption while I focus on my development journey. Recognizing that self-care leads to better performance, I embrace this time as essential for my overall well-being and success.

Some other ways to go about this is to: i. Clearly communicate your intentions with your supervisor or manager explaining the purpose of your time off and how it aligns with your professional goals and the benefit it can bring to your role, your team or organisation in the long run. ii. Familiarize yourself with policies regarding personal development and time off as many organisations encourage continuous learning and may have specific programs in place to support employees. iii. Prioritise self-care because a healthier, more skilled and motivated employee is an asset to any organisation.

Recognize the Importance and Plan Ahead. Ensure Work Coverage.. Let your team should know how you’ll manage your workload during your absence.