Ewelina Furmanek-Kowalska’s Post

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!

(not so) guilt-free vacation i’ve returned from vacation and, as i put everything in order, a reflection came to mind: it's intriguing how guilt often accompanies the decision to take time off from work (specially if it’s more than a week), resulting from the feeling of leaving unresolved matters with the company or suppliers/clients (we even dream about the excel spreadsheets, right? 😅). however, it's essential to recognize the need for this break for self-care. each with their own priorities: whether spending time with family, exploring new places, or seeking retreats, vacations offer an opportunity to recharge physically, mentally, and emotionally. by letting go of guilt and embracing these moments, we not only replenish ourselves but also return to work with a renewed perspective, often leading to more efficient resolution of pending issues. thus, vacations shouldn't be seen with guilt (the third time i've used this word!) but rather recognized as essential elements of a healthy work-life balance. i've returned and undoubtedly have tasks to organize (a lot! 🙈) and so I will - with a smile on my face and a sense of recharged energy 🙂

I was fortunate to take a two-week vacation in Europe this month with the hubs, Deron Richens. Over the years, I've been told during time off, completely unplug and focus solely on relaxation. I’ve realized that’s not my style. I’ve learned that taking a vacation doesn’t have to mean entirely disconnecting from work. It’s about finding the balance that works for you. Yes, it's crucial to unwind, recharge, and enjoy your time off without the constant buzz of work emails. But for me, a quick daily check-in brought peace of mind and allowed me to truly relax. It helped me enjoy my vacation without worrying about what was piling up or awaited me when I got back to reality. I focused on maximizing my vacation time, which included work check-ins. If you're fortunate enough to get time off, do what feels right for you, whether that means completely unplugging or staying lightly connected. Your well-being is the priority. #WorkLifeBalance #VacationMode #DoWhatWorksForYou

Did you know that 42% of Americans opt out of taking any vacation days? Many of us have reasons like: 👉🏼 I'm too busy. 👉🏼 I can't stop. 👉🏼 I love my work. 👉🏼 I'm afraid things will fall apart. 👉🏼 I feel addicted to my work (and even to the stress!). Even when we do take vacations, our minds often stay at work. This means we don't get the real break we need. If you find yourself among this group, join me on June 10th at 3 PM ET for a live session on why taking a vacation is important now more than ever. It's time to give yourself permission to take a break. #CareerCoach #ExecutiveCoaching #ProfessionalDevelopment

🌞 Summer Vacation and Business: Finding the Perfect Balance 🌴 As the summer sun shines brightly, many of us are eagerly looking forward to some well-deserved time off. Whether it's a getaway to a tropical beach or simply unplugging at home, summer vacations are essential for recharging our batteries and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. But how do we ensure that our business doesn’t skip a beat while we’re away? Here are a few tips that have helped me: Plan Ahead: Make a checklist of critical tasks and deadlines before you leave. Ensure that projects are on track and delegate responsibilities to team members who can keep things running smoothly. Communicate: Let your clients and colleagues know in advance about your time off. Set up an out-of-office email response with alternative contacts for urgent matters, and make sure everyone is clear on who to reach out to in your absence. Trust Your Team: Empower your team to make decisions and handle challenges while you're away. Building a culture of trust and autonomy not only gives you peace of mind but also strengthens your team's capabilities. Unplug and Reconnect: When you’re on vacation, truly disconnect from work. This is your time to rest, relax, and gain a fresh perspective. You’ll return with renewed energy and creativity, ready to tackle new challenges. Reflect and Reset: Use this time away to reflect on your goals, both personal and professional. Summer is a great time to evaluate your progress and realign your strategies for the rest of the year. Remember, taking a break isn't just about escaping work—it's about coming back stronger. So, enjoy your summer, recharge your mind, and get ready to finish the year on a high note! 🌟 How do you balance your work and vacation? Share your thoughts below! 👇 #WorkLifeBalance #SummerVacation #Leadership #BusinessTips #Teamwork

🌞 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

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

Planning vacations is a waste of time! In a world obsessed with work-life balance and meticulously planned getaways, I've chosen a different path. I don't plan my holidays at all. I've ditched the calendar and stopped marking "vacation days" months in advance. Why? Because life doesn't follow a schedule, so why should my breaks? Instead, I listen to myself. Some weeks, I'm in the zone, working 14-hour days. Other times, I need a breather. Last month, when I felt burnout creeping in, I simply took off for a 3-day mountain trip. No planning, just went. It was exactly what I needed. This isn't just about holidays. It's a philosophy: life is fluid, and work should be too. For me, balance isn't about equal hours of work and play. It's about being fully present in both. PS. Do you plan out your vacations or go with the flow?

It's mid-June and many of you are thinking about vacations. Maybe you're planning one. Maybe you need one. I had an interesting conversation with some colleagues today about vacations and how we view vacations today vs. how we did in our corporate lives. When I was in the corporate world, because of my tenure, I had 5 or more weeks of paid vacation every year. And given what my normal work week looked like (long days, emails late into the evening, and catching up on the weekend), I needed all 5 of those weeks. The problem of course was that I was often unable to take all 5 weeks. And even if I was able to go, it was with a company laptop and the expectation that I would be reachable (and ready to engage as needed). My friends had similar experiences. It's no longer uncommon for companies to offer "unlimited" vacation time. The challenge is being able to actually get time off - real time off, without a tether to the office. After a few years in my own business, my view of vacation time has changed. I can actually take all the time I want, and I tend to take a lot of time off. But it's because I can; it's because there are things I want to do; it's because I am more interested in family time and enjoying life than in meeting someone else's expectations. It's not because I need the break. My work provides me with purpose, I enjoy what I do, and while I like taking a break as much as anyone, I no longer feel like I need that break. People who haven't tried being their own boss tell me how stressful it is, how many hours it takes, how you give up your life for years to build that business. Maybe you're thinking the same thing. Maybe you would like to take control of your career, but you see too many barriers. But what if your assumptions aren't acccurate? What if the reality is different from what you believe? If you're interested in exploring the possibilities, and getting to a place where you don't need a vacation - but you are able take one whenever you want without having to ask for permission - let's talk. #findyourpath #worklifeharmony #vacation