It's my birthday month and I thought I would celebrate by:

•  Donating £1 to a cancer charity every time someone, like you, downloads a  Time Audit.

• £5 for every Time Audit feedback session booked in June.

You'll notice a new look to my website too.  There will be additional changes over the next few weeks as there's a lot to update from the old site.

Here's how I use my Time Management skills to create a great work-life balance - 52 Things in 52 Weeks.

Thank you,

Clare

P.S. If you've been forwarded this newsletter by a friend, you can subscribe by clicking the link at the bottom of the email.

1.  Plan ahead.

Start by answering these questions if you have a pile of work and/or conflicting priorities. What absolutely needs to get done before you go away?

• What can be left until you get back?
• Who else can you delegate to while you're away?
• How long between now and when you go away on holiday?

Start the countdown by working backwards. How many working days do you have - how many meetings and appointments between now and then - how much work time for actions and tasks?

2.  Communicate

Advise your customers and clients when you're going and when you'll return.

Let them know that if they need work completed before you go on holiday, they need to get the required information to you by x - or it will be done on your return.  Allow sufficient time to complete the work before going on holiday.

Take into account that other people are also on holiday at this time, so things might be quieter in the office anyway.

Set up your out of office email and voicemail messages.  Put a reminder in your diary.  If you make it clear that you're away from the office, they won't expect a response from you until you get back.

If appropriate, provide an alternate contact for while you're away.  If you've already set a precedence by responding to calls and emails when you're on holiday, you need to reset their expectations. 

Let your staff and colleagues know you're not contactable while you're away.

a) they should be able to cope without you.

b) you may not even be able to get a mobile/wi-fi signal, so don't stress yourself out if you're out of communication for a few days.

Arrange a handover meeting with key people, so that if anything is in hand or needs to be completed while you're away, they have the information they need.

Leave adequate documentation - a good reason to have written notes and procedures and not carry important information in your head.

Give me a call - if you can't wait until next month and need help to enable you to take time off and enjoy a relaxed, stress-free holiday. 

A brief 30 minute chat could make all the difference.

"Image courtesy of Stuart Miles] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net".