Abdulla Mulla’s Post

🌞 Vacation Time! 🌞 Next week, I'll be soaking up the summer sun and enjoying the beautiful waters, vineyards and golf courses of Lake Country, BC. It's a perfect reminder of how essential it is to take our well-earned vacations! I'm surprised this still needs to be said, as I still see stories online of people not taking their earned time off. It's not a competition. You wont win any trophies for taking the least vacation. I've seen firsthand how taking time off can lead to numerous benefits, both personally and professionally: 😎 Recharge & Refresh: A break from the daily grind helps us recharge, bringing renewed energy and focus when we return to work. 😎 Boosted Creativity: Stepping away from the usual environment can spark creativity and innovation, leading to fresh ideas and solutions. 😎 Improved Health: Vacations reduce stress, improve mental health, and can even boost physical well-being. 😎 Enhanced Productivity: Well-rested employees are often more productive and efficient. 😎 Better Work-Life Balance: Taking time off reinforces the importance of balancing work with personal life, leading to greater overall satisfaction. So, if you’ve been putting off that vacation, consider this your sign to take the plunge! Whether it's a weekend getaway or an extended break, you deserve it. Let’s make the most of our time off and come back stronger, happier, and ready to tackle new challenges! If you're looking for an employer who prioritizes well-being and work-life balance, check us out! BCLC just may have the right job for you: https://lnkd.in/gX6etP-N 👀 #VacationTime #WorkLifeBalance #Recharge #LakeCountryAdventures #RecruiterLife

🕶️🌞 Summer Vacation Battle: Finding the Balance between Rest and Work 🏖️🧳 Summer is approaching, and with it comes the much-anticipated vacation season. However, we often find ourselves in the challenging task of balancing well-deserved rest with work demands. How can we find the equilibrium in this vacation battle? It is important to remember that rest is essential for physical and mental health, as well as a time to recharge. However, we also have professional responsibilities that cannot be neglected. Here are some tips to help you find the balance: 1️⃣ Advance planning: Communicate your vacation plans in advance, allowing your team and managers to make necessary arrangements. This helps to avoid scheduling conflicts and ensures a smooth transition of responsibilities. 2️⃣ Delegation of tasks: Distribute tasks among team members, giving everyone the opportunity to take time off during the summer. Proper delegation of responsibilities prevents overload and keeps workflow going. 3️⃣ Set clear boundaries: Establish boundaries for work during your vacation, such as not responding to emails or taking work calls outside of working hours. This allows you to truly enjoy your time off and recharge your energy. 4️⃣ Plan relaxing activities: In addition to resting, plan activities that bring relaxation and well-being. Outdoor excursions, leisure time, and hobbies are great options to make the most of your vacation. 5️⃣ Balance is key: Remember that finding the balance between rest and work is essential to maintain productivity and good health. Prioritize your well-being, but also remain committed to your professional responsibilities. Share in the comments how you plan to find the balance between your summer vacation and work. Let's exchange experiences and tips to make the most of this resting season! #SummerVacation #Balance #RestAndWork #WellBeing #AlightSolutions #Europa

I often hear the advice that when you're on vacation, you should fully disconnect—no checking emails, no dipping into chat threads, and definitely not handling work issues. The idea is that only complete detachment allows for real recovery. This approach works great for some, and I could do it too—my team is independent, professional, and fully capable. Yet, I still prefer to stay in the loop on work processes, even when I'm away. It's not some elaborate strategy; it's simply that when work feels part of who you are, there's no real urge to disconnect entirely. How does this work in practice? I usually take vacations of up to two weeks—enough time to fully relax while staying in the loop. I don't set an out-of-office reply; I'm available on messaging apps and check my inbox several times a day. If something needs my input, I respond. I might join an interesting meeting or even conduct an interview. I actually enjoy it when a client reaches out—I'm glad to connect, even if it means handling something urgent. This way, I spend about half an hour a day at work, and it doesn't interfere with my time off at all. This balance of work and vacation keeps me connected to what's happening and engaged with an important part of my life. It also helps me sidestep the post-vacation slump that can sometimes follow a long absence from work. For me, a quality vacation isn't about following conventional rules—it's about finding my own rhythm, where there's space for relaxation and the things I enjoy.

From Vacation to Vocation Many employees take advantage of the summertime warm weather to enjoy their vacations. Having just returned from a relaxing vacation, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to get back into the work routine. Here are some quick tips based on my recent experience that can help you transition seamlessly. 1. Enjoy chill day Avoid being in transit just hours prior to returning to work. Plan your trips to ensure you have at least one day to relax at home.   2. Map out your day  Once you return, spend your morning planning your day. Do not try to fit everything into the first day. 3. Connect with colleagues & enjoy activities Reconnecting with colleagues by catching up on their weekends over a morning coffee can help you integrate back into the team and provides a mental break from diving straight into work. A brief 5-minute chat can set a positive tone for the day. Also incorporate activities you enjoy into your after-work routine to maintain a balanced lifestyle and keep the post-vacation blues at bay. Returning to work after a vacation doesn’t have to be stressful. Embrace the return and remember that the next vacation is just around the corner!

August is here and that, unofficially, starts the countdown of our last month of summer! For many in the US, August is a peak time for squeezing in the last of summer vacation before the Labor Day holiday arrives. Note: Labor Day is also known as the "unofficial last day of summer". A client and I recently had a great conversation about his upcoming summer vacation. He was looking forward to taking two weeks off and planned to fully immerse himself in a bunch of outdoor activities over that time. Hiking, biking, fishing, boating, etc. It sounded amazing! What I heard in his voice and what I saw in his body language seemed to indicate otherwise! He mentioned that he was excited but also very anxious about taking 'such a long break with so many things going on at work.' He was going to take his laptop and check in on things in the evenings, just in case. It sounded to me like remote work vs. a two-week vacation. Wait.....what??? A bit of clarification, a bit of introspection, and a lot of 'a-ha' over the hour. By the end of our session, my client gained insights into how he might best prepare for the break so that he can truly immerse himself in his outdoor adventures *and* disconnect from work without feeling anxious. I'm looking forward to his next session, post-vacation! As you may be gearing up for your August vacation, this article from Harvard Business Review might be a great resource for you. The article provides insights into five boundaries you should consider setting BEFORE going on vacation. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gp-nB7mF I'm curious: -What boundaries do you SET before heading off on vacation? -What actions do you take to HOLD boundaries while on vacation? Please share your comments below!

Halfway through summer vacation season! 🏖 What boundaries do you SET before going on vacation? What actions do you take to HOLD boundaries while on vacation?? My short-list of actions to HOLD boundaries: 🔋 leave the laptop power adapter at home (rationale: it limits how much checking in I would be able to do) 🔑 change my Windows/MacOS password (rationale: won't be able to log in) ✈ leave device in airplane mode (rationale: no wifi to 'send' anything out) The one that worked the best?? 🎯 Telling my children that I will NOT work on vacation! One of the best accountability partners is adolescent (or teenage) children who will remind you CONSTANTLY about what you said were NOT going to do! 👀 😬 What boundaries do you SET/HOLD - and are they effective?? #IAmACoach #LeadingExecutively #VacationPreparation #Delegation #EmpowerYourTeams #UseYourPTO #Disconnect #Recharge

Vacation reminder 🌴 How do you organize your vacation time? Do you meticulously plan every holiday, or are you one of those people who struggle to switch off? For the longest time, I fell into the latter category — unable to fully detach during vacations and never scheduling all my time off. Perhaps it was due to a lack of encouragement in the past. Nowadays, I'm in a much better place and ensure I mark all my vacation days on the calendar, even if some are scheduled with a bit of delay. It's a work in progress 😅. I believe that achieving a healthy work-life balance is crucial, and I'm grateful that Bolt enables me to achieve just that. Before heading off on vacation, it's important to have a solid organization of projects and processes in place, inform the right people about your time off, and specify whom they should contact during your absence, ensuring a smooth handover to colleagues. The goal is to provide support, not create additional burdens. Disconnecting and making the most of time off is truly important, and it's valuable to have colleagues and managers who understand, respect, and encourage this practice. So here's a gentle reminder to schedule your vacations— it's essential for your well-being. 🏖️ #VacationTime #WorkLifeBalance #TimeOff

🌴 Back from Vacation: A Time for Reflection and Growth 🌴 Vacations mean something different to everyone. For some, it's pure relaxation; for others, it's adventure and exploration. For me, it's a mix of doing what I love full-time, trying new things, traveling to see the beauty of the world, and—perhaps surprisingly—thinking about how to enhance my work performance. While it might seem odd to some, I find that my best ideas often come when I'm away from the daily grind. During my recent vacation, I took the opportunity to reflect on how I can improve my performance, consider what might be holding me back, and explore new ways to better lead my team. You might wonder why I spend time thinking about work during a vacation. The reason is simple: our regular workdays are packed with tasks, meetings, and obligations, leaving little room for deep, creative thinking. Outside of work, we often focus on family, fitness, and other personal commitments. But during a vacation, when the mind is free from immediate pressures, there’s a unique opportunity to think strategically and creatively. For me, investing some of my vacation time in this way doesn’t just improve my productivity—it makes my working days more enjoyable and effective. After all, work is a significant part of our lives, so why not use our downtime to enhance our everyday experience? #VacationReflection #WorkLifeBalance #Productivity #Leadership #ContinuousImprovement #PersonalGrowth

Vacation…PTO…Time Off…Whatever your company calls it, encourage your team to use theirs. All of it. Every year. Ok, if they want to keep a week or two in the hole for a just I case situation, great. But when they are losing days because they are maxed out and not earning them anymore, that means their brain is maxed out and not able to give their best effort. At work or at home. A rested employee is a good employee. The back half of taking time off is actually TAKING the time off. Leave the phone and the laptop at the office (or locked in a drawer). Ensure that your team has a backup or a partner so that they aren’t worried about the work when they are off. Rare is the case that they are truly needed when they are off. Finally, encourage longer vacations. Minimum one week. Two is best. Some studies point to your brain not truly relaxing until day 7 and being fully rested at day 12. They don’t have to go to a bungalow in Tahiti (though that does sound awesome), just get away from work. In the end, they will be happier, more productive and less likely to leave for another job. So pass around a copy of Condé Nast and build a better team.

Summertime and the livin' is BUSY! If you miss the summers of your youth, when the biggest question was which friend you'd spend time with, you're not alone. Now, the work it takes to prepare for a much-needed vacation makes you wonder if you can actually afford to take a break. A 2023 survey by online learning platform Elvtr shows that 68% of Americans report working on vacation. That doesn't sound like a vacation to me! Here's how you can maximize your time off (without leaving anyone in a tough situation): ❶ Make a plan - Equip your team with logins, procedures, and any other information they may need while you're gone. ❷ Be sure your time off is marked in your team-wide calendar. ❸ Set an out-of-office message - Include relevant information like the dates you'll be gone and who to contact in your absence. Be sure to set this notification across all messaging platforms (email, Zoom, Teams, etc.) ❹ Enjoy your time on vacation - As a leader, you set the tone for vacations across your organization. Give your team permission to fully relax and recharge during their time off by showing them that you don't expect them to work while on vacation through your example. And the benefits of time off are HUGE! Researcher Mark Rosekind of Alertness Solutions found that vacations can increase performance by 80%. If you want to boost your performance and productivity, take some time off and encourage your team to do the same! Where are you vacationing next?