Author
Corrie Haffly
Festive Prompts for Staying Productive Before and After PTO
Give yourself the gift of organization
For many, the holiday season is a time for celebration, reflection, and taking a well–earned
break from work. As you get ready to trade spreadsheets for snowflakes or stockings,
thoughtful planning is key to wrapping up tasks efficiently, communicating clearly with your
team, and ensuring a smooth transition both before and after your PTO. Microsoft Copilot
offers practical tools to help you prioritize urgent items, organize handover notes, and
quickly catch up on missed updates. Below are actionable Copilot prompts designed to
make your pre– and post–PTO routines more productive, so your workflow stays merry and
bright.
Copilot Prompts to Use Before Holiday PTO
- “Summarize my recent emails and flag any urgent items.”
Dash through your inbox like Santa’s sleigh! Copilot will help you prioritize what’s
truly urgent, so you can focus on making snow angels instead of answering last–
minute emails. - “Create a checklist of tasks I need to complete before PTO.”
Make a list (with Copilot) and check it twice to finish strong before your holiday
break. - “Draft an out–of–office message tailored to my responsibilities in a fun and festive
voice.”
Can’t find the right words for your out–of–office message? Copilot can help you with
a sparkling draft to help you get started. - “Summarize open projects and deadlines for my handover notes.”
Leave your team with all the details they need and give them the gift of clarity.
Copilot can help you wrap up projects as neatly as presents under the tree. - “List upcoming meetings and suggest which ones I should delegate or reschedule.”
Let Copilot help you rearrange your calendar, giving you more time to enjoy holiday
traditions. Copilot can help you delegate or reschedule meetings to make the most
of your holiday break.
Copilot Prompts to Use When You Return from Holiday PTO
- “Summarize all new emails and meeting notes during my absence.”
After the holiday break, let Copilot help you quickly sort through your inbox and
meeting notes to spot what matters most among your post–holiday messages and
missed meetings. - “Provide a summary of changes to shared documents or projects.”
Copilot’s summaries will help you get up to speed faster than Buddy the Elf can
decorate a department store. - “List tasks and deadlines that have changed since I left.”
Stay ahead of shifting priorities so you don’t have to dig yourself out like a snowed–in
driveway. - “Identify and prioritize urgent follow–ups based on my workflow.”
Copilot will help you focus on what really matters and reconnect with your team,
making it easy to prioritize important follow–ups and keep your workflow merry and
bright, even after the holidays. - “Draft a catch–up plan for my first week back. Include scheduled meetings from my
calendar and scheduled tasks.”
With Copilot, your return to work will be as smooth as a cup of cocoa! Ease back
into your routine while maintaining the joy and peace of the season.
Unwrap a Productive New Year
Whether you’re heading out to enjoy festive traditions or returning to work after a well–
deserved break, thoughtful preparation keeps your workflow efficient and organized. With
practical prompts for Copilot, you can wrap up projects, delegate tasks, and catch up with
confidence, making your return as smooth as fresh snow. By planning ahead and leveraging
the right tools, you give yourself (and your team!) the gift of clarity and peace of mind—so
you can truly enjoy the spirit of the season, both at home and at work.
