16. Leave a Trail of Breadcrumbs

Before any kind of break, I have lists.

Stuff to get done before the break.

Longer breaks, longer lists.

This time of year is a bit frantic

This fall, during my sabbatical and this year of 23 in '23 experiments in productivity, I've been trying to do better with planning ahead, ending my work day and week, and focusing through bullet journaling and co-working.

As semester deadlines rapidly approach, academics are chest-deep in teaching, servicing, writing, mentoring, grant-writing, paddling frantically to stay afloat. In equal parts, I find myself wishing for time to slow down and speed up.

And in the US, the Thanksgiving holiday is this week...Just a couple of weeks before the end of the semester and year. Travel, family, friends, hosting. For many, kids home 24/7. In-laws incoming. Work harder! Relax! Right.

How can I balance my to-do lists now with my holiday plans/worries in a way that creates a space for a break and still sets my future self up for success on Monday 27 November?

Leave Breadcrumbs

Strategy: Before I shut down for a few days of break...

• I commit to use the break as motivation for focused work now
• I commit to leave my actual desk clean
• I commit to closing my work web tabs
• I commit to leave post-its/comments/highlights in my documents where I dropped off in the middle of a task
• I commit to write a list in my planner of things NOT to do until Monday. [Reminder, Jenny: You don't work in the ER. Most of your work can wait until Monday.]
• I commit to trying not to work until Monday. OK, that was weak. "Trying not to work" But honest. I hope that knowing that my tasks are clear and ready to go will help me focus on family and relaxation.

Evaluation

TBD...Will share my success (or not) next week

What Strategies Help You Take a Break AND Return?

?? Please share in the comments any strategies you are experimenting with

?? And subscribe on LinkedIn to be notified when I next post around 28 November