There’s a strange phenomenon that happens right before a proper holiday. And by proper, I mean more than just a long weekend or a cheeky Friday off. I’m talking about the big one — the full two-week switch-off!
Suddenly, we become productivity machines.
The week before you down tools, there’s a noticeable shift. The fog clears, the distractions fall away, and you find yourself powering through your to-do list with laser focus. It's like a part of your brain kicks in that says, "Right, this stuff isn't going to do itself, and the clock’s ticking."
I’ve noticed this in myself over the years. I only take one proper two-week holiday a year, and I deliberately time it when the world is still working. Christmas doesn't count, that’s different. Slower pace, shorter days, and everyone’s half-out-of-office anyway.
But I’ve really noticed it this week, watching my co-owner, Mags, work her magic.
She and her lovely family jetted off at the weekend for a very well-deserved break. Before she went, the two of us made sure we had a full handover day locked in for her return — a buffer before I disappear off on my own holiday. The idea being we’re rarely both off for any length of time at once. It’s something we coordinate carefully, and it works.
Now, Mags is always pretty blooming effective. She doesn’t need a holiday on the horizon to be on top of her game. But last week? She hit the turbo button.
We sat down on Friday lunchtime to review what was still live and what could wait. She'd already worked through her priorities with the team, ensured they were well-prepared for the next fortnight, and thought through exactly what each person would need while she was away—no loose ends, no grey areas. Just a calm, considered handover, all wrapped up with typical 'Mags clarity'.
I’m very lucky to have her as a business partner.
So, why do I think she’s so good at this kind of pre-holiday priority juggling?
Because she genuinely cares. She takes her responsibilities seriously and doesn’t want anyone left in the dark, or feeling like they’ve been dropped in it while she’s on a beach somewhere—that kind of leadership matters.
She also gets the big picture. She understands that keeping things ticking over means getting the small things right — the context, the clarity, the communication. None of it happens by accident.
And let’s not ignore the motivational power of a proper break. Two weeks completely off is rare in the world of business ownership. So, when it’s in the diary, it becomes a powerful incentive to get things buttoned up in advance. No one wants to return from holiday to chaos, or worse, to problems they could’ve prevented.
What struck me most last week was just how much of Mags' approach is rooted in foresight. It's not just about clearing her own desk. It’s about setting the rest of us up to thrive while she’s away. That’s real leadership. That’s ownership. And yes, it definitely deserves a mojito or two.
As for me? Now I just need to deliver on everything I promised her I’d get done while she’s away…
Time to stop writing about working and get back to actually doing it.