‘Motivation that comes after a long break is hard to get any other way’ – People & Skin CEO Joanna Delia

Finding the right motivation to pursue a task can be difficult to many, especially in the long, hot, and humid summer days.

Business leaders often end up taking little to no breaks throughout the year, and when they do, it can be hard to completely switch off.

People & Skin CEO Joanna Delia does not feel that this is the best way to go about running a business, as she prioritises finding time to take a break and unwind over the hotter months, clearing her head in the process.

For the latest instalment of this year’s MaltaCEOs.mt summer interview series, we spoke to Joanna to learn more about how she spends her summer, and also how she manages to switch off from her daily work routine.

Joanna founded medico-cosmetics company People & Skin in 2015 after gaining various years of experience in the industry. From day-to-day operations to leading a team of medical professionals, she has plenty on her plate, making a long break during summer even more worthwhile.

Are you a summer person, or do you prefer winter? Why?

I am absolutely a summer person, a Mediterranean summer person. Nothing beats the ħedla, the forced relaxation… the meditative mood the heat brings. 

Are you looking forward to this summer in particular? Why? 

I always look forward to summer because I have designed my life to be able to take two months off to spend time with my family and clear my head. This summer I will spend most of my time in the property I bought in Sicily, and we finally have a bathroom there. So I can relax, unwind and get my creative juices going, particularly thinking about how to improve service in the company and smoothening out regular practice protocols.

The motivation one gets after such a long break is hard to get any other way.

What’s your favourite thing to do in the summer season? Why?

I travel. As much as I do love a Maltese summer, I find changing scene to be motivating and cathartic, and it makes me appreciate home more. I sail for as long as I can and measure my relaxation by the number of books I read why lying on deck watching and listening to the sea. 

Do you prefer going out or staying inside during the hotter months?

I try to be outside every waking moment when I am not working. The fact we can be outside most of the year in Malta is probably one of the main reasons I love it. I am a very social person and love meeting people coincidentally. 

Any travel plans? If yes, where to and why?

We went from Bologna to the Greek islands to Oslo to the Faroe Islands to Copenhagen and finally to Sicily. 

What’s your dream summer destination? Why?

In our summer months it’s hard to tear me away from the Mediterranean. As an island lover I would say the Croatian, Greek and Italian islands are unbeatable. It’s hard to choose between them though! 

What’s your best holiday experience?

Difficult to say. Every experience is unique and there is so much more left to discover. 

What’s your worst holiday experience?

We often experience turbulence at the start of a holiday. It must be the universe balancing out the great times ahead.

One summer, not only did we have our daughter’s face in bandages after she was mauled by a dog the day before departure, but we got caught in a deadly flood in Sicily, and then when we arrived in Sardinia, the ‘houseboat’ we rented sunk while we were having lunch. Gone were our laptops and other electronics and my clothes had chromatography patterns all over them, but none of us got hurt. And the rest of the sailing trip was bliss. 

Companies are encouraged to invest to stay ahead of the curve. As a business leader, how will you be investing in yourself this summer?

After having worked inhuman hours in hospital, I promised myself these summer sabbaticals. My staff also has prolonged time off.

To say it pays off is an understatement, as plenty of studies show that long breaks are beneficial in more ways than can be listed here. Our brains have refractory periods. We need time to understand, process, plan and be creative. Most business persons I meet immediately claim it’s impossible for them to take such long times off but I wish they found the time to calculate and realise the infinite gains.

From recharging your batteries to taking on a huge task – do you have any particular goals for the summer?

I always start my time off with goals. I am writing my second novel and still have not published my first one, and have several hurdles to overcome and issues to untangle with some business ideas. I might not have officially completed these tasks by the end of my break, but I always find stress levels are so low after the summer that every task seems less laborious, my patience more ample and knots easier to deal with.