It’s been a month of all things PTO! Over the past four weeks, we’ve covered everything from balancing work and travel to getting back into the swing of things post-vacation. As we wrap up this series, I want to bring it all together into one ultimate guide.
Note: This is a free, un-paywalled post. Enjoy!
Here’s a quick recap of the series so far in case you missed any of the series (or you need a refresher):
Adjust your work schedule to manage meetings and free up exploration time.
Communicate boundaries with your team to manage expectations.
Focus on high-impact work during productive hours.
Stay flexible by blocking time but remaining adaptable to team needs.
Identify key responsibilities to delegate and assign them based on strengths.
Set clear expectations, instructions, and deadlines for delegated tasks.
Empower your team by providing resources and encouraging decision-making.
Start delegating early to allow for adjustments and smoother handoffs.
Turn off notifications to avoid work reminders.
Remove work apps from your phone if needed to prevent checking.
Set clear boundaries with your team, specifying urgent-only contact.
Use time off for personal reflection and exploring new inspirations.
Block the first few hours of your return day for catching up.
Limit meetings in your first week back to ease re-entry.
Use your OOO plan to review progress and set priorities.
Create a 1-2-3 list: one main focus, two secondary tasks, and three quick wins.
Your Ultimate PTO Checklist
To make your PTO planning even smoother, I’ve compiled a high-level checklist that covers all the essentials:
Pre-PTO Planning:
Outline key projects and tasks to complete before leaving
Set up an Out of Office (OOO) response
Delegate tasks to team members (see why this is so important?)
During PTO:
Set a 'no-check' window for emails and messages, especially if you’re someone who feels the need to know what’s going on at all times (I see you and I am you)
Make time for true rest and reflection
Post-PTO Re-entry:
Prioritize urgent tasks first
Schedule a catch-up meeting to align on next steps
Want a downloadable version of this checklist? It’s all in this month’s All Access content, plus much more.