Whatever Break You Take, Make it Count
Sophie Wright ACMA, CGMA
Founder of Multi Award Winning Fractional CFO Consultancy @ WrightCFO | Chartered Institute of Management Accountants | CFO | Entrepreneur | Scale-Ups
Introduction
Welcome to WrightCFO's December 2022 Newsletter. If you missed our last instalment on investing and borrowing, read it here.?
This month we want to share some advice for you and your employees to encourage you to have a restful and stress-free festive season. It includes free resources you can share with your team.?
If you have any comments or queries relating to the content of this newsletter, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Make It Count
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, December is, for the most, an opportunity to take a break and spend some time with loved ones.?
However, now more than ever, we are all conscious of keeping the money coming in and our businesses afloat; as such many of you may only take a short break away from work.
In reality, the length of break you take is irrelevant; what does matter is the quality of that time. So make it count.
Here is our top tip for ensuring your break gives you the rest you need to go into the New Year refreshed and energised.
It is easy to assume you can jump between recreation and business and still fully unwind, but this is not true. Turn off notifications on your devices relative to work entirely for the duration of your break.?
If the nature of your business means that it cannot shut down over Christmas, delegate tasks on a rota so that everyone gets a complete break at some point.
At the very least, have some time every day when you remove the distraction of work emails and phone calls. If you do need to check emails or other communications, set a strict time for doing so and stick to it.
Only you have the power to ensure your break offers quality rest. Don't underestimate the power you have over your time or the benefits of taking a quality break. And NEVER underestimate the benefits of having time away from mobile phones, tablets and computers.
Free Resources
Our mental health frequently takes a back seat to other needs as if it was less of a priority. Yet recent times have highlighted how much people suffer in silence and the dire outcomes. Below are helpful links you can share with your team and use yourself.
Related Blog Posts
Mental Health at Work – Here's How You Can Help
Employers have a responsibility under both the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 to assess and minimise the risk of stress-related illness. However, promoting good mental health among your workforce is more than your legal responsibility and benefits more than just your employees. Read the full article here.?
Benefits of Mentoring your Staff
When looking at how companies become successful, one trait which stands above many others is that successful companies have excellent leaders, and with excellent leaders come exceptional employees. This is why WrightCFO has launched a Finance Mentoring Programme.?
An experienced WrightCFO Finance Director meets monthly with your finance employee (usually a finance manager within your business) and helps them grow into the FD they aspire to become. Read the full article here.?
A Note from Sophie
I wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season. Stay safe and stay in business.?