As a young pro with 3 weeks paid time off, my year revolves around the trips I take...and how hungover or jetlag I am once I return back to work. The sweetspot occurs when I am able to tolerate work and come across cool, collective, and productive the day I return to work. Part of the formula is achieving a high rate of return...
3 keys of winning at PTO (Paid Time Off)
-don't use them when you're sick - this is easy, either don't get sick or come in to work regardless - your day is wasted anyways and since the trend is that companies don't allow you to "work from home" then you may as well come in. u have to suffer through your coughing so everyone else should too, amiright? basically, stay healthy to maximize travel and leisure time.
-carryover PTO for a big trip. find out how many days you can carry over each year (a. don't run out) and plan to take an extra week or a bigger trip after you get the hang of your job. if you have a trip planned prior to your interview, let your interviewer know and companies generally have you start after you return and/or allow you the vacation days.
-couple PTO vacation days with company holidays to maximize time away. my brother was married at the end of june this year and july 4th happened to be on the following wednesday (a paid work holiday). after the ceremony in chicago i headed north to western michigan for a week of relaxing. including 2 wkends, I had 10.5 days away from work while only using 5.5 PTO days.
They say that the approach of a vacation is as good for your mental health as the time away. therefore, make sure you have some reverie planned in the future at all times. Even a weekend can be maximized - come in an hour early, skip lunch and leave 2 hours early on a friday for a weekend adventure.
as always, get your shit done, show your boss you are efficient and professional, and let him or her know when something really bothers you, don't mess with him or her otherwise.
see you @ happy hour -
mel
