Having heard tales of London to Paris bike rides, triathlons and Ironman challenges, I feel slightly humbled having just completed my first Race For Life.

We all have to start somewhere and going from not being able to run for 30 seconds, to running 5k in six months, is a good start.

It's all about having something to aim for and focus - whether you want to fund-raise, improve your health, change your lifestyle or if you're looking to grow your business or learn a new skill.

To find more time to focus on what's important to you, start by downloading a free Time Audit.

This month, I'll donate £1 for every Time Audit download and £2 when you return your completed Audit for free email feedback.

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.

3.  Organise

Leave plenty of free time in the week before you go away and the week you return.  Use this time for tidying up and finishing off projects not for starting new work, unless it can be completed in a short timeframe before you go.

Don't book meetings in these two weeks, unless absolutely necessary or as part of a handover or review meeting with your staff.

Use a checklist to remind you of what needs to be done, people you need to talk to so that nothing gets missed or forgotten.

Plan to finished on time on your last day in the office.  How many of you end up working late on your last day, just to finish everything off and clear your desk.

Have a packing list to make sure that you don't forget anything.  Put things out that you plan to take with you.  Make a list of anything you need to buy for your holiday and have a checklist for important things like passport, travel documents, currency.

4.  Relax!

DO NOT take your mobile phone or laptop on holiday with you, with the intention of 'keeping in touch with the office' while you're away.

If you have good policies and processes in place and you've arranged adequate handover, there should be no need for you to 'keep in touch'.

If you absolutely insist that the business will not survive without you for two weeks (or however long you're away) - a) get in touch - I can help b) limit the time you spend checking and responding to emails to a minimum. 

Even if you're the only person in your business, you still don't need to work while you're meant to be relaxing.  Redirect your calls to a call answering service if you're worried about missing important calls.  Many of these can be set up just as holiday cover and are certainly worth the outlay if it means you can relax and really enjoy the benefit of your holiday.

If you see messages and missed calls on your smartphone - ignore them. Your 'out of office' messages will have let them know you're away, so you don't need to deal with them.

Focus on spending time with your family, friends and just relaxing.  After all that's why you booked and paid for your holiday - not so that you could just carry on working somewhere with different food and a different climate. 

You deserve the break, you've planned it, you've paid for it - make the most of it.

If you need help planning for your getaway or you just want to be able to afford time off for a holiday - get in touch.

A brief 30 minute chat could make all the difference to your working day, your productivity and your stress levels.

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