A recent Australian/ New Zealand workplace survey[i], involving 585 respondents, conducted by Hays recruitment, found that over two thirds of respondents felt their productivity was compromised through not taking annual leave when they needed it.
As much as you might love your work, it’s important to have interests outside of the office to stay happy and keep you motivated and inspired. Jacky Carter, Director of Hays reflects on the benefits of time away from the office:
“Generally speaking, taking a lunch break and taking regular annual leave can lead to not just higher productivity, but decreased stress and absenteeism. Breaks help to create a productive, healthy and safe working environment.[ii]”
Holidays are a great way to re-evaluate your lifestyle as they allow you the chance to turn your focus away from work and concentrate on other aspects of your life often neglected during your busy 9-5 working week. Your world becomes a blank canvas, full of opportunities to break away from the norm and do whatever you wish without time constraints!
All in all, holidays help you return to work with a renewed enthusiasm and love for what you do and a desire to live life to the fullest! In my case, I returned from my Easter break with a desire to become a Prima ballerina and have subsequently enrolled in beginners classes at Sydney Dance Company to help me realise my dream. Notably my ambitions are hugely greater than my talent, but I’m excited about my new hobby and I’m feeling motivated and enthusiastic! In addition, I’ve returned to work with new ideas for clients and a fresh optimism and excitement for our projects!
While still on a holiday high, I thought I’d share some ideas on ways to be productive and make the most out of your weekdays, both in – and out – of the office:
- Go for an early morning jog or spin class to blow the cobwebs away and start the day as you mean to go on: full of energy, alert and raring to go
- Replace your morning coffee with a homemade smoothie – not only will it save you money, but it’s also a healthier alternative.
- Take time to see friends during the week, meeting for coffees, dinners or other social activities.
- Set yourself goals at work – if you achieve them, give yourself a reward. And don’t forget to share your success with your colleagues – you’re working as a team and they’ll be happy to see you succeeding
- Plan your weekend. Have an exciting weekend planned to look forward to
- Get out in the fresh air. However busy your day is, take time away from your desk at lunch and go a short walk, if only to the local grocers – fresh air clears your head and helps you focus on your work priorities for the day
- Enrol in a course. Ever wanted to learn a language, play tennis or try dressmaking? Now’s your chance – most classes only last around an hour, giving you no excuses not to set aside time in your evening!
Enjoy your work! A large proportion of our lives consist of working, so make sure you’re in a career you love. Constantly challenging yourself and being challenged at work allows each day to be full of opportunities for you to learn something new, grow from your experiences and be aware of how much you can achieve by putting your mind to it.
