Happy Birthday America! Now Take the Day Off.

I'm following my own advice and taking some time off. This is a re-post of a previous blog.

If you read my blog on a regular basis, you know I'm are all about work-life balance.  Allowing people to enjoy the holidays starts with you the manager. So here are some reminders to help both you and your employees enjoy the 4th:

• Leave the laptop in the office. You know if it comes home with you, you’re going to work. Any work product you put out there is going to someone else, probably someone who works for you that really just wanted to chill over the holiday.

• Turn off the Smartphone. As a test to your own self-discipline, do not check emails for 24 hours. Trust me, you will not die. And the family and friends you spend the 4th with will really appreciate that they have your undivided attention.

• Leave your desk as is. Cleaning off your desk before you walk out the door means you’ve just dumped the papers onto someone else and ruined their day off. Be honest, you’ve waited this long to get the non-critical “to-dos” done, they can wait a little longer.

• Encourage additional days off. The 4th is in the middle of the week this year. So lots of people want to take off a few days before or after. Don’t make them feel like their asking for your kidney. Set up a schedule so the office is covered and most people can enjoy time off either before or after the holiday.

The 4th of July is a great time for family, fireworks and fun.  Help you team enjoy their time off by starting with yourself.  If you can relax and leave the work behind, your folks will follow suit.  Enjoy!