4 things we can learn from the European work-life balance

How did you spend your summer? Did you turn off your work phone and go on a To view this email as a web page, [click here]() {NAME}, How did you spend your summer? Did you turn off your work phone and go on a European adventure for 2 weeks? Spend time at the beach reading a good book? Enjoy warm nights dining al fresco with your loved ones? [Ramit with friends and family] Celebrating my 40th birthday in Mexico with family and friends OR…did you take time off but had PTO anxiety the whole time? Did you struggle to disconnect and fully unwind? Maybe you couldn’t help but check email and Slack? Or worst of all: Maybe you felt you had too much work and didn’t take vacation days at all. Americans take less vacation time Taking time off from work can [boost creativity and cognitive function](), improve mood and sleep, and [even lower your chances of disease](). But research shows a [whopping 705 million vacation days]() go unused each year in the United States. In fact, in the most recent data, [more than a quarter of PTO went unused](), and more than half of Americans reported having unused vacation days. [Oh wow] Americans also take less time off and work more hours than other developed countries. According to [a report from the International Labor Organization](), Americans clock in more working hours per year than workers in Sweden, Belgium, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. What can these countries teach us about work? Today, let’s look at 4 lessons from Europeans on disconnecting, resting, and taking time off. Disconnect from work like the French True story: In 2016, the [Ministry of Labor in France passed a law]() giving employees the “right to disconnect” and not look at work emails during off hours. Yes, an actual law. The mental space of not feeling like we’re needed every minute of the day is essential. [Disconnecting from your phone]() leads to happier and more productive employees, plus it gives them the capacity to do more meaningful work. Not to mention the joy of being more present in their personal life. (But before you disconnect from your phone, make sure you keep reading the rest of this email.) Be on time like the Swiss Being late to a work meeting is not only stressful, it’s also bad form in some parts of the world. [Punctuality is a source of national contentment for the Swiss](), who pride themselves on respecting other people’s time. The amount of time waiting for a call to start, a colleague to show up, or even a late train all adds up to wasted time, as well as stress. And that’s not good for work-life balance. Switzerland isn’t the only country who is punctual: [Norwegians]() and [Germans]() share the same culture. Using better time management in our own routines can help us regain control over our schedules, respect our colleagues’ time, and stick to a real work-life balance. Here are some time management tips if you struggle in this area: 1. Say no. Next time you receive an invitation to something you don’t want to go to or do, simply and politely say no ([you can use this script]()). 2. Fix the tiny annoyances in your day, e.g., how long it takes to wrap up your hair dryer cord, only having one coffee mug you have to wash every day, your clothes being disorganized and in multiple places. Make a list of all of these and schedule time to fix them, one by one. 3. Schedule every to-do in your calendar. Scheduling actual time for them actually ensures you will get all your tasks done. [Calendar]() If it’s not on my calendar, it doesn’t get done. 4. File everything you’ve learned. Use the [Iceberg Method]() to actually USE what you learn without having to search through everything or take up valuable head space. 5. Make a decision and move on. We spend a lot of time deliberating minor decisions. If a choice has no meaningful impact on your life, pick something and move on. Enjoy coffee breaks like the Swedish Step into a Swedish cafe and you'll encounter "[fika]()" – a cherished coffee break tradition. It's more than just a caffeine fix: It’s a chance to connect, unwind, and be present. Try this tradition yourself by turning your coffee breaks into an opportunity to make stronger connections with your co-workers. It’s a great time to share ideas, strengthen bonds with your team, and create a sense of community. Taking long lunches with the team can also be beneficial for building morale. "Eating together is a more intimate act than looking over an Excel spreadsheet together,” says Kevin Kniffin, a professor at Cornell University, in a [study done on firefighters sharing meals together](). “That intimacy spills back over into work." Enjoy vacation days like the Austrians [Some European countries offer twice as much paid leave as the United States](). France offers an average of 31 days of paid leave, the UK 28, and Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Spain, and Sweden come in at 25. (Compare that to the United States, which offers an average of 10.) Imagine if you HAD to take 5 weeks of vacation every year? What would you do? If you’re thinking about where you want to go and curious about how I plan my travel, [check out this video](). I walk you through exactly how I plan and go on AMAZING vacations, guilt-free. [Ramit's Travel Tips]() A work-life balance is possible While it requires a shift in mindset and a commitment to make real changes, striking a work-life balance is possible. You could start by doing a few simple things: - Set clear boundaries between work and personal time. - Implement designated periods for focused work by minimizing distractions. - Prioritize being on time to regain control over your schedule. And remind yourself often: Working longer does not automatically lead to success. It’s never too late to make a change for the better. I’d love to help. Next week, I’ll show you how to find — and land — a job you love. Stay tuned. [Signature] You may be new to IWT. Here's all the stuff we offer [Programs]() [Podcast]() [Netflix show]() [Books]() [Check out our website for more]() Follow Ramit [ig]() [fb]() [tw]() [yt]() [pc]() Was this forwarded to you? Sign up [here](). This email was sent to [{EMAIL}](). 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