Real experiences & actionable insights. Designed to help you navigate the windy path of life + career with more purpose & happiness, without jeopardizing your authenticity.
– October 2025, Calm & Grounded –
For many of us, the brisk mornings of fall season are here. We’re shifting from a busy, warm summer to a cooled down sweater weather mood. Usually during these cooler months, I spend time re-collecting my thoughts and maintaining a sense of calm before the holiday season comes. This month, I find myself on a much needed vacation in Hawaii!
Table of Contents
“I never take vacation”
😳 Don’t wear that as a badge of honor
It’s not the first time I’ve heard this statement. But this week, while I myself was on vacation, someone was reflecting to me on the fact that they never take vacation. This is something that is familiar to myself also, because I used to be like that.
I used to be the one who would be attached to my phone, checking emails even while I was trying to relax on a beach with a drink. I told myself that if I didn’t check in, something might drop. I had this lingering thought in my mind of “What if they need me? What if there’s a question?”. The reality–they can and will figure it out. The reality–I am not so important where I can’t even be gone for 1-2 weeks. The reality–I was projecting my own insecurity and trying to hold on to a sense of control by justifying that I was helping others by staying connected. The reality–nobody was really needing me, and in fact I was setting an example to others that I was constantly accessible and worse, that I expected my team members to behave in that way also. Both are not good outcomes.
I don’t blame this person. I also don’t blame you if you are used to operating like this. Another reality is that these are some of the unsaid rules that many of us were molded to believe. Regardless of what industry or what role, this mentality stems from people in leadership positions who equate the number of hours spent working with productivity. Who trade personal and familiar sacrifices for loyalty to a company. While these mindsets may have worked in the past, this approach is no longer feasible and sustainable.
In a world where circumstances, technology, and things are rapidly evolving , we need to adjust our ways of operating in order to sustain. Usually when people continue to operate in this way, they experience short term gains but long term pain. Whether that pain is growing disdain and resentment towards what they do for work, or it’s literal physical pain, the consequences will be felt.
Whenever I have the urge to check work emails or to stay connected, I ask myself: Is this really going to help someone at work? Or am I doing this for my own sense of control, security, comfort, or habit?
Over the years, I’ve been able to remind myself of the importance of truly disconnecting while I am away on vacation. And what I’ve seen is that when I am back from truly being away, I come back much more re-energized. Much more passionate/excited. And much more effective at doing what I do.
P.S. if you’re wondering whether I’m cheating because I’m writing this newsletter–that’s fair 😄. I haven’t checked my work email or done any postings on IG though (auto/pre-scheduled postings don’t count!). Writing is my passion and whenever I travel or go on vacation, I’m constantly reading, writing, dreaming. So writing isn’t my work. It’s part of who I am as an individual and without it, it feels like I’m not breathing.
The next time you’re planning to go on vacation, I challenge you to put that out of office message on and truly be out of office. Truly disengage from work and when you return, notice how different you might feel. Also, notice how sometimes the conversations and meeting topics are probably still the same from when you left 😅.
❓️Question of the day
Your questions answered – 👉️ Click here to submit yours
Your question:
Do you think there is going to be more layoffs at many companies because of a recession?
My response:
I tend to guide people to focus on what they can control vs. something macro like a recession. It’s important to be aware of what’s going on around us on a macro level, but don’t obsess over it because you will just end up feeling overwhelmed, which makes you even less effective at what you do.
With that said, any business (regardless of recession or not) is constantly going to be assessing their viability and profitability. As a result, layoffs are a constant and should not be something that paralyzes you into fear. It is something to be aware of and the key is to focus on staying relevant with what you can control.
What you can do/control:
1) Keep your soft skills relevant (communication, presentation, influencing, leading, etc. Technical skills can only get you so far, especially with AI.
2) Don’t let the macro economics and negativity pull you down. Focus on yourself. Invest in yourself. Prioritize yourself. Ways to do this would be self-reflection, learning & development courses, etc.
3) Don’t keep all of your options in one place. Keep your eyes and ears open to other opportunities, even if you’re not actively looking. Especially if you’re not actively looking. Remember that the best time to be looking for a job and interviewing is not when you NEED one. The best time to be interviewing and looking is when you’re still happy at your current job.
4) Similar to your annual reviews at work, do an annual review of your own career, values, and goals. I’m not talking about the projects and accomplishments at work. I’m talking about your core values, what your long-term career goals are, and where you envision yourself as you plan for future retirement.
💭 ❔ Want to have your question featured & answered next?
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Micro-coaching (ask yourself):
“What activity or thought helps me feel more grounded and calm?”
🌏️ 🗓️ News & Events
📆 Want to share an exciting event with our community in a future publication?
👉️ Click here to submit
- ICYMI: I accepted an instructor position with UC Berkeley Extension! It is part of their Leadership & Management Certification Program and I will be teaching Business Influence & Negotiating. Look out for more when the enrollment period is open in a week.
- A friend of mine (Amira Barger, whom I met through Instagram!) has a book launch coming up! If you’ve ever felt like you needed to change yourself or be too “nice” at work, this is going to be a good read for you. Check out the book and details here.
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🚀 Above the Radar is a monthly-ish newsletter sparked by feedback I received earlier on in my career that I did great work, but “flew under the radar”. Now, as a professional coach, my passion is to empower others to be more seen and heard in work & life. Written by me, focused on you.
If you’re eager to read more, you can find more of my writing by clicking here!
Ricky Koo Coaching - Career & Self Development 
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