How to keep things moving in your absence

Sometimes you need to step away from your usual duties (whether it be at home or at work) and switch gears for a bit. This could due to needing a vacation, attending a conference or training, or handling a special side project, to name a few examples. Here are some ways you can make sure you don’t come back to a pile-up of tasks and a load of overwhelm:

•   Get organized before you go: do some clean-up and address as many tasks as possible so that you don’t have to do them when you return. If something can’t be completed before you go, add them to a list so that you don’t forget to do them when you return.

•   Delegate the essential tasks: create a list of the things that need to be addressed or monitored while you are gone. Then, identify the person(s) who is/are most able to care for those tasks while you are gone. Leave them specific instructions as needed. Check in with them while you are gone as applicable.

•   Know what you’re coming home to: look ahead at your calendar the following few days after you return, and see what is coming up on the to-do list. Outline the tasks that you will need to do when you return, and if possible try and address some of them ahead of time. Otherwise, tack these onto that to-do list for when you return.