Dylan Jones’ Post

𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝗳 𝗮 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗗𝗼 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀? So the weekend is over, and it's the start of the week now. If you work in a corporate setting, you're likely familiar with the concept of having two days off each week. However, not all companies offer this benefit. If you are among the fortunate ones who do, consider yourself lucky! How do you make the most of your two days off? Many of us use one day to relax and unwind, while the other day is perfect for learning new skills, exploring new interests, or engaging in out-of-the-box activities. If you think about it, two days off a week amount to approximately 𝟵 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 off each month. That's 𝟯𝟬% of the month available for extraordinary pursuits outside of work. 𝐈’𝐦 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬? 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐭𝐨𝐨!

14. That's it. There are only 14 days left in this year. Does that seem a like a lot or a little to you? If you said a little, remember how nice it would feel to have these 14 days off from work through next year. That would feel like a great amount of time off. If you said a lot, remember some calendar appointment from two weeks ago, and I am guessing you will realize how fast time has gone. Regardless of what you think, the bottomline is there is an opportunity. There is an opportunity for you to figure out 14 steps to move the needle. Starting now, write down 14 steps that you are going to take each day to move the needle. Then execute. Don't stop until you achieve your goal for each day. I promise you that if you do this, you will look back and realize one of two things: 1) You will be so happy that you took action, and 2) You will realize you aren't dreaming big enough. Why? Because you are capable of so many incredible things if you just take consistent action. That's it, NOW LET'S GO!

With less than an hour to go before I will be off to pick up my other 'full time jobs' from nursery and another work week is done! ⌚ Where does the time go!? I am chuffed as I have had a super productive week with a weekend around the corner packed full of fun, friends, and family (with some work and chores snuck in there too!). If you find yourself having more to-dos at the end of the week or you hear yourself saying constantly 'I haven't got time' ... I have got you! Reclaim 5+ hours per week to spend on the things YOU want to. What would that look like? Together, we'll identify your time traps, develop customised strategies and leave you feeling empowered and in control for the week ahead. Invest in yourself and start reclaiming your precious time. It is the one thing we can never get back and it is one of the biggest things I hear us complain about. DM me to schedule your session today or book using the link in my featured section.

"We know summer is the height of being alive."  ~ Gary Shteyngart How will you enjoy being alive this summer?  Will you take time off from work?  I hope so!  Time off is so important.  It’s good for our mind, body, and soul. Taking time off increases the opportunity for rest.  It reduces stress hormones, allows the immune system to recover, declutters the mind, and boosts creativity.  It also provides the spaciousness necessary to tap into our intuition and get clarity around the bigger questions in life.  You know, questions like who we are, what we want, and why we are here.    Time off is good for us personally and professionally. Studies show that after taking a vacation employees think more clearly and are more focused and productive, increasing their performance and chances of getting promotions and raises. For many years, I took the weeks of Memorial Day and Labor Day off, creating bookends around my summer. Combined with my “summer bucket list”, it helped me to live a little more, or at least a little differently, in the summer months. What tricks, tips, and traditions do you have to make summer more fun? #taketimeoff #burnoutprevention #creativerest

It's quiet at the office and on the roads at the moment as people take advantage of the long bank holiday weekend. This got me thinking about an article I read recently about the rising trend of "quiet vacationing" in the US - the giant workaround culture where employees are more likely to take time off, just without telling their boss! Bringing their work on vacation! Imagine working in an environment where you are worried about asking for time off in case it is viewed as lazy or slacking? It is no surprise that this is more prevalent in Millenials than Gen Z, with Gen Z more likely to be vocal about encouraging a better work culture and work-life balance. At its core, this trend is a call for a change in how we view work. Companies that cultivate an environment of trust and transparency can bridge the generational gap and support their employees better. Encouraging open communication about time off and prioritising mental health can lead to a more productive and satisfied workforce. We should all definitely take note of Lucy Daramola's approach in intentional frequent time off https://shorturl.at/2i8IW How does your workplace handle time off and mental health? Do you think we'll continue to see stark differences between generations in their approach to work-life balance and vs UK and US? #WorkLifeBalance #QuietVacationing #MentalHealth #Productivity #UKHolidays #WorkCulture #DigitalDetox

I plan work around my time off, I DO NOT plan my time off around work. My non-negotiable; I book time off work every 6 weeks… I don’t wait until I NEED the time off to have a break, I make sure it’s intentional and planned in 6-week cycles. I started doing this a year ago; I now enjoy my job way more and feel less stressed or overwhelmed. I don’t plan all of my time off at the beginning of the year / at the same time, but I wait a few days before I’m due to go on holiday and then book my next break approx. 6 weeks ahead. This allows me to be flexible but also removes the pressure of being so regimented. I can then plan my work around my time off and coordinate cover with the wider team. Your time off doesn’t need to be spent on holidays, going abroad or undertaking big adventures, but it does need to allow you to unplug from work! Yesterday was day 1 of my break - I spent the afternoon with Simone Johnson and our daughters. We had a good chat, cups of tea, walked, went to the park, made homemade pizzas and it was wholesome! How do you plan your time off work? What allows you to unplug? #PlanAhead #AnnualLeave #Balance #WorkingParents

A couple of thoughts from a constant worrier who just came back from vacation: 1. Your team; if trained and properly equipped and informed are capable of keeping the wheels running. 2. It’s ok to not reply to that email, text, or answer that work call on vacation. If push comes to shove, give them a team member’s contact information. 3. Start your first day back off early so you can catch up before the day really begins.

I couldn't believe what I was reading. "Thanks for letting me take time off," an employee texted me. "You don't need anyone's approval to take time off," I told him. "You should do more of it!" If you're an employer, here are a few other acceptable responses to your employees taking vacation time: -> "I love it." -> "Have a blast!" -> "Talk to you when you get back!" I don't mean to be blunt, but... You are going to die. None of us get to be here forever. Work provides a lot of things. -> For some people, it provides fulfillment. -> For some, it provides companionship. -> For some, it provides wealth. But for most, it's often just a means to live your life. But what good is working to better your life if you don't actually ... live it? Take the trip. Extend the trip. Then plan the next trip. And don't feel guilty about it. Just have a blast. And forget about work until you get back. -- • This is not investment advice and is for educational purposes only • All views are solely mine and not that of my employer

It's the last workday of 2023 for me, and I'm feeling reflective about the immense changes I've made over the last few years. A few years back, I was deeply depressed at an organization I loved, but that continued to move the goalposts on my growth. I now know that they woefully underpaid me, and leadership rarely (if ever) had career advancement conversations with employees. After more than a decade of believing I was "family," I realized nothing would ever change unless I did, so I made an emotional decision to move on. I went to an organization where I was appreciated and had an opportunity to learn more in 18 months than in the previous five years. That position gave me the expertise to know my worth and helped springboard me to where I am today - Leading content marketing for an organization that fills me with self-confidence, both in my knowledge and the fact that what I do every day has purpose and importance. If you've followed me on here for a while, you know I am a relentless advocate for putting yourself first when it comes to your career. Write down your goals, whether based on money, job title, work-life balance, or otherwise, and then fight for yourself. By finally putting myself first, I have found self-worth, appreciation for my work, confidence, joy, and growth opportunities. Oh, and I've doubled my salary in the last two years as well. It's never selfish to stand up for yourself. It's never selfish to know your worth. Take some time to be self-reflective, discover what will bring you happiness in your career, and then fight like hell for yourself. If you don't put yourself first, I promise no one else will.