Time for a holiday?

clock

I'm writing this blog as I sit next to the swimming pool, in glorious sunshine, on a holiday to South Africa . This introductory sentence is not designed to provoke jealousy in the reader, but to set the context of some things I wanted to write about in this blog. This holiday, and other I have taken in the past couple of years, have taught me some important lessons that I wanted to share.

This first lesson was the experience I had on the day before I set off on holiday. This turned out to be my single most productive working day in recent memory. Before I left the office on the previous evening I spent a few minutes making a short list of the activities I had to complete before I could fully relax and leave for my holiday. Whilst I always maintain a rolling to-do list, this has not been the best productivity tool due to its never-ending nature. On the final working day before my holiday started I was able to make rapid progress through the task list. In fact, th...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

News editor's view: Let's give it up for the small advice firms

News editor's view: Let's give it up for the small advice firms

The news editor's Friday Night Takeaway from 22 May

Isabel Baxter
clock 22 May 2026 • 4 min read
Women more likely to seek professional financial advice – research

Women more likely to seek professional financial advice – research

Twenty percent of women likely to seek advice

Sophia Panayi
clock 22 May 2026 • 2 min read
The expectation gap: Why suitable advice can still fail the client

The expectation gap: Why suitable advice can still fail the client

'The industry is moving from suitability, to understanding and now to expectation management'

Elly Dowding and Lee Coates
clock 22 May 2026 • 4 min read