IT Pro 20/20: Switching off for the holidays
The 12th issue of IT Pro 20/20 looks at downtime, building skills through gaming, and how IT leaders can get the most out of 2021

Welcome the 12th issue of IT Pro 20/20, which is also the last of the year.
As we finish up our last deadlines and close our work devices for the last time, the idea of checking in with work over the break might seem horrific, but it’s almost inevitable that you’ll find yourself idly opening up Slack or checking your emails at some point during the downtime.
To help you truly switch off, we’ve asked scientists and workplace psychologists to provide their best lifestyle tips for staying off the grid, so that even if 2021 doesn’t quite feel like a brand new start, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running.
Speaking of downtime – in our second exclusive feature, we take a look at the single biggest and most lucrative sector of the entertainment industry. With almost two billion players worldwide, gaming has become an integral part of daily life for many people.
That said, it is still dismissed by some as a waste of time. But we talked to a number of recruitment experts that say otherwise. They argue that video games are actually an incredibly powerful tool for learning critical skills, many of which are directly transferable to the workplace. With that in mind, don’t feel guilty if you indulge in some gaming sessions this Christmas; you might just be improving your CV at the same time.
On behalf of the entire team at IT Pro, we hope you have a wonderful break, and we wish you all the best for the new year.
The next IT Pro 20/20 will be available on 29 January – previous issues can be found here. If you would like to receive each issue in your inbox as they release, you can subscribe to our mailing list here.
Get the ITPro. daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Focus Report 2025 - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
Dale Walker is a contributor specializing in cybersecurity, data protection, and IT regulations. He was the former managing editor at ITPro, as well as its sibling sites CloudPro and ChannelPro. He spent a number of years reporting for ITPro from numerous domestic and international events, including IBM, Red Hat, Google, and has been a regular reporter for Microsoft's various yearly showcases, including Ignite.

‘If you want to look like a flesh-bound chatbot, then by all means use an AI teleprompter’: Amazon banned candidates from using AI tools during interviews – here’s why you should never use them to secure a job

Laid-off workers are ditching full-time work: 70% of staff caught up in brutal layoffs opted for part-time roles and freelance gigs – and flexibility was the big appeal for many