I’m all for slowing down, and when it’s time for a vacation, I’m already picturing the perfect branch, a gentle breeze, and nothing on the calendar.
That kind of rest doesn’t happen by accident. A few thoughtful steps now can go a long way in helping your team (and your clients) stay steady while you soak up that time off.
You don’t need to rush to get it all done. Just start early, move with intention, and follow a few easy steps:
1. Prep with the Big Picture in Mind
Time off shouldn’t feel like pulling a thread that unravels everything. A good system keeps things stitched together.
When updates, timelines, and task ownership live in one place, it’s easier to shift priorities, balance workloads, or wrap up loose ends before you clock out. No guessing. No scrambling. Just a clear path forward while you’re off recharging.
2. Prioritize What Matters Before You Head Out
Before you take that well-earned break, take a minute to sort your task list. When everyone can see which deliverables are client-facing, time-sensitive, or critical to progression, your team can keep things moving without hesitation.
Prioritize your work like this:
- Keep Moving: Things with deadlines or direct client impact.
- Keep Warm: Internal updates or prep work that’s helpful, but not urgent.
- Can Wait: Big-picture projects that benefit from everyone being back together
You’re not trying to sprint to the finish line or hit pause on progress, just making it easier for your team to stay focused and steady while you’re off the clock.
3. Make Your Workspace the Handoff
A smooth handoff doesn’t start with a last-minute Slack message or a buried email. It starts in your system. That means assigning owners for upcoming tasks, flagging potential roadblocks, and documenting context inside the tools your team and clients are already using.
A thorough handoff includes:
- Updated task statuses and any client-facing deadlines
- Linked documentation and prior communication threads
- Notes on open issues, data dependencies, or potential decision points
If you’ve built a culture of shared visibility, handoffs become less about scrambling and more about continuity.
4. Let Automation Carry the Repetitive Load
Good automation doesn’t replace people, it supports them. With the right setup, it can keep core workflows moving even when you’re offline. That includes:
- Task templates that assign based on project phase
- Instant reminders tied to milestones, not static dates
- Prebuilt welcome sequences and handoff checklists that launch automatically
Your team should feel empowered, and when repetitive touchpoints are off their plates, they can focus on what matters most: keeping quality and client experience consistent.
5. Set Your Backup Up for Success
Think of your backup like a trail buddy—someone who’s walking your path for a bit while you pause to rest. The clearer the trail, the smoother their trek.
It’s not just about picking the right person. It’s about making sure they feel steady and supported while you’re away. A few gentle handrails go a long way:
- Let them know what’s theirs to own completely.
- Call out what’s worth keeping an eye on (and when to sound the alarm).
- Mark what’s totally fine to leave until you're back.
And don’t forget your clients. A quick heads-up about who they'll hear from—and how things will keep moving—can work wonders. When everyone’s looking at the same system for updates, tasks, and notes, your backup won’t have to dig for context. It’s all right there, ready to go.
Rest Like You Mean It
Mmm... now this is the good part. The wind’s whispering through the leaves, there’s just enough sun peeking through the canopy, and I’ve got nothing on my to-do list except maybe… a nap.
Here’s the thing—real rest? That comes easier when you know everything’s in good hands.
A little planning now means your team isn’t left guessing, your clients aren’t left hanging, and you aren’t pulled back into the hustle when you’re supposed to be unwinding.
So stretch out. Close those tabs. Let the systems and the prep you put in do their thing. When you’ve got visibility, automation, and teamwork stitched into the way you work, you’re not leaving things behind—you’re setting them up to keep moving forward.
Rest easy, friend. You’ve earned this!