Take the PTO: Your Work Will Survive (and So Will You!)

Picture this: You’re on a beach, toes in the sand, listening to the waves—relaxed, refreshed, and blissfully unaware of the email storm brewing back at the office.

Why? Because you actually took your PTO without checking your inbox.

Sounds like a fantasy, right? But here’s the reality: Taking your vacation days isn’t just a perk—it’s a necessity for your mental health, productivity, and overall happiness. Yet, so many of us struggle with actually stepping away from work.

And what’s stopping us? Guilt. Worry. The fear that everything will crumble without us. But Dale Carnegie had some wisdom for this: “The best possible way to prepare for tomorrow is to concentrate with all your intelligence, all your enthusiasm, on doing today's work superbly today.” In other words, learn from yesterday, plan for tomorrow, and LIVE today.

Why We Resist PTO (and Why We Shouldn’t)

For a lot of us, the challenge isn’t having PTO—it’s feeling okay using it. We want to do a great job on our projects. We don’t want to let down our boss, our team, or that one coworker who always seems just a little too stressed.

But here’s the truth: The work will still be there when you get back. And you’ll be better equipped to handle it if you actually take time to rest.

Carnegie reminds us: “Our fatigue is often caused not by work, but by worry, frustration, and resentment.” Sound familiar? That feeling of needing a vacation but not taking one is what leads to burnout, stress, and snapping at the office coffee machine for running out of creamer.

PTO is a productivity booster. Employees who take vacations return to work more engaged, more creative, and—let’s be honest—less likely to fantasize about quitting to become a professional hammock tester. (wait. is that a real job?)

The Power of Actually Disconnecting

Ever take PTO but still check your email? That’s like going to a five-star restaurant and bringing your own PB&J—you’re missing the whole point!

You might think you’re helping your team by staying available, but all you’re doing is keeping yourself in work mode. And guess what? That’s not just bad for your mental health; it’s bad for your relationships.

Your team will now think that responding to emails while on vacation is an unspoken expectation, and they will resent you for it. If you’re in a leadership role, taking PTO sets an example. It shows your team that prioritizing mental health is okay. And when you return, you’ll bring back fresh energy instead of running on fumes.

So let’s talk about how to protect your vacation time while keeping your relationships intact:

1. Set the Expectation Early

Want to stay in good standing with your coworkers and boss? Give people a heads-up before you leave and make them feel confident about handling things in your absence. As Dale Carnegie said, "Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to." If you’re working on a project, delegate tasks or set realistic deadlines before you leave. Bonus: You're demonstrating leadership through delegating.

2. Write a Great Out-of-Office Message

Instead of the classic “I’m out of the office,” make it lighthearted:

“I’m currently out of the office, enjoying my PTO and pretending I don’t know my email password. I’ll be back on [date], at which point I will give my inbox the attention of a long lost love.”

This follows Carnegie’s principle: “Begin in a friendly way.” A well-crafted out-of-office message sets a positive tone and lets people know you’ll get back to them—just not right now.

3. Remove Temptation

Delete your work email from your phone (or at least turn off notifications). If that sounds terrifying, remind yourself:

You are not the only competent person in the office.

Follow Carnegie’s principle: “Make the other person feel important—and do it sincerely.” Give your colleagues confidence that they can handle things while you’re away. A simple “I trust you to take care of this” goes a long way. Trust your team, and let them handle things while you’re away. They’ll appreciate the responsibility, and you’ll appreciate the peace.

Final Thought: Take the PTO, Guilt-Free

Dale Carnegie believed in living in day-tight compartments—focusing on today instead of worrying about tomorrow. Your PTO is a way to recharge, refocus, and come back better for your team, your company, and yourself.

So go ahead. Take the trip. Spend the day in pajamas. Binge-watch that show. Whatever you need to relax, do it.

Your inbox will wait.

Email [email protected] or call 248-380-7000 for more info on Dale Carnegie Training programs in Metro Detroit. Dale Carnegie programs are action-packed (no lectures!) and designed to help you develop self-confidence, communicate effectively with others, earn trust in leadership, manage stress, and sell ideas.