Navigating Rest During the Holidays

The world of hiring, recruitment, and human resources can be demanding, fast-paced, and filled with constant challenges. Business is a part of life, but it’s not the whole pie (great, now I’m thinking about pie; peach, pecan, or blueberry, what’s your favorite?) With how professional life informs personal life, and vice versa, it’s crucial to strike a balance between achieving success and maintaining our well-being.

The 4th of July being a National Holiday means time off, and if you’re reading this, then likely you’ve just enjoyed some hot dogs, libations, and fireworks.

Just like a firework that burns out bright and quickly, an uncontrolled approach can lead to burnout. Instead, adopting the mindset of a stove – controlled, consistent, and useful – can help us navigate holidays, ensure rest, and safeguard against burnout. Let’s explore some strategies to achieve this balance.

Acknowledge the Importance of Rest:

Take your eight hours to get your eight hours! No matter what the industry, it’s easy to feel guilty about taking time off, especially during holidays. However, rest is vital for our well-being and productivity. The National Sleep Foundation found that 78% of people reported that a good night’s sleep positively impacted their job performance. By prioritizing rest and setting clear boundaries during holidays, we can recharge and return to work with renewed energy and focus.

Top tip: try winding down at least an hour and a half before light’s out. Put down the screen (phone, tablet, tv) and prepare your body to rest. Try it for two weeks and you’ll see a difference.

Plan Ahead and Communicate:

Proper planning is key to enjoying a well-deserved break without compromising work responsibilities. Communicate your holiday plans with your team and stakeholders well in advance, ensuring that necessary arrangements are made to cover your absence. This proactive approach helps minimize stress and enables a smoother workflow for everyone involved. Set that out of office and let your mind rest.

Delegate and Collaborate:

Recognize that you don’t have to shoulder all the workload alone. Delegate tasks to trusted colleagues, fostering a spirit of collaboration. Many hands make light work. Two heads are better than one. According to a study by McKinsey, collaborative teams are five times more likely to be high-performing than individuals working in silos. By sharing responsibilities, you not only lighten your own workload but also empower your team members, fostering a sense of ownership and growth.

Embrace Technology and Automation:

Technology can be a valuable ally in managing the recruitment process efficiently. Invest in recruitment software and automation tools that streamline repetitive tasks, such as resume screening and scheduling interviews. LinkedIn reports that 67% of talent professionals say AI helps them save time by automating tasks. By leveraging technology, you can optimize your workflow and create more time for strategic decision-making.

Top tip: to get the best out of AI, treat it like a supplement and not a substitute.

Practice Self-Care and Mindfulness:

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the recruitment world, it’s crucial to prioritize self-care. Engage in activities that promote well-being, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies that bring you joy. According to a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, employees who engage in regular physical activity report lower levels of burnout and higher job satisfaction. Remember, taking care of yourself is not selfish but essential for long-term success; think of it this way, who enjoys being around a grumpy person first thing in the morning (they don’t even enjoy being around themselves…).

Achieving a balance between productivity and well-being is paramount to sustained success. By adopting the mindset of a controlled and consistent stove, rather than a firework that burns out bright and quick, we can navigate holidays and guard against burnout. Prioritizing rest, effective planning, collaboration, embracing technology, and practicing self-care are crucial strategies to ensure a fulfilling and sustainable career. Remember, it’s not just about surviving; it’s about thriving, and that takes thought, planning, and intentionality.

When you have a group of proactive, high-performing, high-impact team members it can be hard to convince them that rest is important. The fear of loss (in performance, momentum, or opportunity) is very real. If rest isn’t a part of your schedule, then you are guaranteed to lose at some point, and it’s a lot harder to win back when you’re tired. Food for thought indeed. Speaking of food, it’s time to grill. Happy Holiday from all of us at Titus.