Cerebro Vocational Planet’s Post

Taking a break this summer? Switching off can be tough. Thoughts of work and to-do lists often invade our downtime ...potentially dampening our holiday fun. The good news... Creating a work/life boundary can be quick and effective. It only requires a mindful minute to reflect on these three questions... Q1 When will I return? (from your break/holiday) ↳ Setting a clear timeline helps your mind embrace relaxation fully, knowing exactly when work responsibilities restart. Q2 What will I start with? ↳ Deciding in advance what to tackle first when you return can prevent work worries from overshadowing your holiday. Q3 How do I want to feel now? ↳ This directs your emotions towards enjoying your holiday, helping you stay present and engaged with family time. By asking these questions, you set your boundary - give it a go! It works 🥂 These questions begin to shift the blood flow in the brain Allowing you to filter out thoughts of work And focus on enjoying the moment. Happy holidays 🏖️ Tamson 😊 #summer2024 #worklifeboundary

🗣 Keep Communication Tight and Honest This Holiday Season The holidays are busy, and if your work schedule is insane, it's time to be upfront about it. Let your family know when you'll be fully present with them and when work might take priority. Transparency helps everyone set realistic expectations and avoid disappointment. A few years ago, I was bracing myself for my partner to be late every night due to his hectic work schedule. I had already prepared myself for the late nights, but then, something surprising happened—he started showing up 30 minutes earlier than I expected. At first, I thought it was a fluke. But as it kept happening, I realized how great it felt to have that unexpected time together. What made all the difference? He was honest up front about his workload and set realistic expectations for the latest he would be home. This allowed me to adjust my own schedule and feel more at ease, rather than constantly bracing for the worst. Instead of feeling bummed out by his late nights, I was relieved to see him home earlier than expected and fully present! 💬 Pro Tip: Share your holiday schedule with your family! Let them know when you'll be busy and when you’re ready to focus on family time. It makes a huge difference in managing expectations and avoiding holiday stress. 🎁 Gift to yourself: Clear communication leads to less stress and more connection. How do you communicate your holiday boundaries with your family? Drop your tips in the comments! #HolidayBoundaries #ClearCommunication #StressFreeHolidays #WorkLifeBalance #FamilyFirst #IntentionalLiving #QualityTime #LifeInSync

Holiday Hustle vs. Holiday Calm As EAs, we’re masters of the holiday hustle organizing last-minute meetings, confirming travel plans, coordinating gifts, and wrapping up projects. But here’s the thing I’ve learned over the years: We can’t pour from an empty cup. During the holidays, it’s tempting to power through, checking off tasks one after another. But sometimes, the best way to recharge is to step back, breathe, and give yourself permission to slow down. My Holiday Tip? Find pockets of time for self-care, even if it’s just 10 minutes to unplug and refocus. Whether it’s a quick walk, a hot cup of coffee, or simply shutting off the phone for a few minutes, these small moments of calm can make all the difference. Because when we take care of ourselves, we’re better equipped to take care of everyone else. Here’s to finding that balance between the holiday hustle and the holiday calm. Yvette Mutuma, The Efficiency Maven #ExecutiveAssistant #YvetteMutuma #WorkLifeBalance #SelfCare #HolidaySeason #EALife #EA #RelaxAndRecharge #LinkedIn #ALXAccepted

🌟 Why Taking a Break Is Essential: My Recent Family Vacation 🌟 I recently took some much-needed time off to travel with my family, and let me tell you it was exactly what I needed! Stepping away from the daily routine and immersing myself in new experiences was incredibly refreshing. I found myself jumping around with the same excitement as my kids, and it was heartwarming to see my daughter copying my playful style. 😄 Here’s why taking an annual leave and going on vacation is so important: 1- Recharge and Rejuvenate: A change of scenery helps break the monotony and recharge your mental and physical batteries. Research from the U.S. Travel Association shows that employees who take vacations are 30% more productive and experience lower stress levels upon returning to work. 2- Boost Creativity: Experiencing new environments can spark creativity and improve problem-solving skills. According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, time away from work helps boost creativity and enhances overall job performance. 3- Strengthen Relationships: Quality time with family and friends builds stronger connections and improves personal relationships. Spending time together away from everyday stresses can deepen bonds and create lasting memories. 4- Improve Well-being: Taking regular vacations contributes to better overall health. The American Psychological Association notes that vacations can reduce stress, lower the risk of heart disease, and improve mental health. If you haven’t taken a break lately, I highly recommend planning a getaway. It’s amazing how a little time off can make a big difference in your well-being and productivity! #WorkLifeBalance #Vacation #EmployeeWellbeing #FamilyTime #Productivity #MentalHealth #Travel

Anxiety before holiday I have seen, before the holiday, employees in small businesses often feel anxious about wrapping up tasks. Employers can ease this stress by fostering open communication, providing clear guidance, and offering reassurance. From my experience, I wanted to give 3 tips to beat anxiety before the holiday: 1. Please Take some time to create a to-do list tailored to your specific responsibilities and deadlines before the holiday. Prioritize tasks based on urgency and break them down into manageable steps. Crossing off items as you complete them can provide a sense of accomplishment and help ease anxiety. 2. Don't hesitate to reach out to your colleagues or manager for support if you're feeling overwhelmed. Collaborating with others can help lighten the load and ensure that essential tasks are covered. Remember, you're part of a team, and everyone is there to support each other. 3. Please Take care of yourself both mentally and physically in the days leading up to the holiday. Make time for activities that help you relax and recharge, whether it's taking a walk outdoors, practicing meditation, or enjoying a hobby you love. Prioritizing self-care can help reduce stress and anxiety, allowing you to enjoy the holiday with a clear mind and rejuvenated spirit. ( This perspective is from my experience, I doesn’t wanted to hurt someone else but holidays are the RIGHT of employees ) Protect your peace at any cost. ☮️ #anxiety #holiday #smallbusinesses #Msme #politics #office #work #task #employees #marketing #corporate

Holidays season is here! ☀️ I hear you - coming back to the grind after holidays, away days, conferences,... it's a challenge. Feeling unmotivated, out of the loop, with a pinch of work FOMO? Here's the best advice I've received to get back on top of things. 📅 Getting back to your daily routine: 1. Ask your team to share highlights and point you at priorities ahead of return. 2. Emails from 5 days ago are probably already dealt with. Skim through. 3. Check-in with your key contacts. 4. Keep an eye on calendar. 5. Prioritise work that can be finished easily. 🤝 Use your holiday as an opportunity for a team re-set: 1. Let your team finish projects they are already running- think ownership. 2. Were you longing for process shake up? Now's the time. 3. Cultivate a positive work environment and passion into your team. 🧖♀️ Capture that feel-good vibe: 1. Balance is still important even though you just had a break. 2. Continue the self-care and good holiday habits. 3. Don't overthink it, release your anxiety and keep it simple. 4. Use your holiday experience for storytelling. Sounds easy, right? 👇 Share below any useful tips on how to handle the Return Syndrome. #Teammanagement #postholidayblues #worklifebalance§

Vacation mode: ON or just pretending? 🤔 Let’s face it—vacations should recharge us, but how often does workplace pressure tag along like an uninvited guest? 💻 Instead of unwinding, we find ourselves checking emails, worrying about deadlines, or feeling guilty for taking a break. 🤯 This constant stress cycle leaves us drained and uncommitted, even when we need rest the most. 😞 💡Here’s your reminder: ✔️ Taking a break isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for your well-being and productivity. ✔️ Prioritize your peace—disconnect to reconnect with yourself. ✔️ Set boundaries and embrace the fact that rest is productive too. 🌟 Recharge your energy; your best work starts with a refreshed mind. Let’s normalize guilt-free vacations! How do you set boundaries during your time off? Drop your tips below! ⬇️ #VacationMode #WorkLifeBalance #RestIsProductive #MentalHealthAwareness #RechargeAndThrive #BurnoutPrevention #GuiltFreeBreaks #SelfCareMatters #UnplugToReconnect #BoundariesAreKey

First day back in the office, and by 2 pm you feel like the holidays never happened in the first place. You came back to… Overflowing emails A manager eager to start September strong Projects that were postponed to “after the holidays” You tell yourself: 🙁 I’m behind 😟 There is so much to do 😫 I have to get back on track And so you feel overwhelmed before you even start. Vacation seems like a distant memory already, and you almost feel like all you gained from it was falling behind. You hype yourself up and get ready to push to get back on track…and so you pick up the stress right where you left it. What if…prolonging the sense of calm and wellbeing you felt on the beach was actually useful? Right now, recharged and rested… 🌍 You can more easily think about the big picture  🧘♀️ You are calmer, and your calm can spread to the people around you, benefiting everyone 🏄♀️ You are able to handle difficult relationships better 💁♀️ You can make decisions more easily How can you stay here longer? Do this: 👉 Realize that rushing is optional  👉 Take small breaks throughout the day to regain perspective 👉 Remind yourself that completing your to-do list is not the goal, focusing on high value activities is 👉Trust yourself, you always deliver on what is important P.S. Starting to think that you could use expert support to have a more sustainable relationship to work? Let’s chat and if we are a good fit, I’ll be by your side and help you implement the small doable changes that make a big difference in your wellbeing and increase your personal resilience.

When should we consider taking a holiday? 🌴🥥 In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it is easy to get caught up in the never-ending cycle of work, responsibilities, and commitments!!! Amidst this 'chaos', it is crucial to remember the importance of taking a break and rejuvenating ourselves through holidays. 🌞But when exactly should we consider taking a holiday??? 🌞 A primary indicator should be burnout/stress levels. If you find yourself constantly exhausted, irritable or unable to concentrate - it is a clear sign that you need to recharge your batteries. There are physical signs too: experiencing headaches, muscle tension, or trouble sleeping then taking some time off can provide the necessary space for recovery. If you find yourself constantly prioritising your work life over your personal life- it might be time to reassess and schedule a holiday to invest in your relationships/family/hobbies & passions outside of work. Experiencing a creative block???? - Time for holiday!!!! Stepping away from your routine can provide fresh perspectives and inspiration. So, when is your next holiday? 🌴 #Holiday #Selfcare #GoBeyond

Patience, presence, positivity. Returning to work after a holiday can be a bombardment of information and updates. In the eagerness to get back up to speed, it can trigger a flurry of snap judgements, reactive decisions and a frantic rush to get back 'on top'. Worse, it can undo all of the wellbeing and recovery that the holiday provided. So this is what I return to over and over. Resist the urge to be swept along. Don't rush to an illusionary end of the workload. See the possibilities within in the problems. Patience, presence, positivity. 🫵 Follow me. I help you and your brand succeed and grow. #gratitude #businessadvice #personalgrowth