7 Steps to Get Back on Track after Holidays
In December, we recognised the signs you need to take a vacation, and now it’s time to get back to productivity after happy winter holidays. We understand how difficult it can be to activate inner efficiency after having lots of late, cozy mornings:)
However, if not us, who will do our work? Let’s put aside laziness, gain positive energy and go ahead for new achievements in 2022! Afterall, our vacation was all about resetting, Collabio team shares how to make the best return to work in 7 easy steps:
1. Before the Vacation, Set a Brief To-Do List
If you have been away on vacation for two weeks or more, you know this weirdest feeling of returning to the office. “What year is it? What’s going on here? Who are these people?” Well, this won’t happen, if before the holidays, you make a small to-do list that will await your return and remind you of where you left off.
This life hack will help free your head from unnecessary thoughts about work during the weekend or long holidays. You will sleep soundly knowing that you’ve already mapped out plans for the week.
Sure, you may revise the list and make slight changes once you get back to work, however, it won’t take much time, as the basis will be ready. If you use Collabio, creating it is easy; we have ready-made templates that you can fill in with your data!
2. Plan a Buffer Day
Jumping from fire to fire is not the best solution, especially if the rest was active. Surely each of us has come across this when on Sunday evening you arrive from a trip, just sleep at home, and go to work on Monday. There is a feeling that you haven’t even rested at all during the holidays.
So, it’s better to dedicate one Sunday before a new working week to doing very little, perhaps a spot of planning, if you’re feeling inspired. A day of pause will allow you to relax between activities, take care of yourself, look at vacation photos and just lie on the couch with pleasant thoughts. This buffer day helps you to feel completely rested.
3. Think of Positive Things You Missed
Try not to focus on negative situations that happened before holidays — failures in projects, missed deadlines, edits from customers, disagreements with colleagues, and other troubles. Forget about all that and aim for a positive first day.
Positive emotions contribute to productivity and motivation. Remember what brings you joy at work — recognition from managers and colleagues, plenty of creative ideas, freedom of thought, flexible hours, delicious coffee… Concentrate on these things and run toward your victories!
4. Ask for Updates
When you come to the office or set your home office space ready for work, start by asking what happened while you were on vacation.
This will allow you to remember what you were doing before your holiday and will give you a chance to find out what important events you missed. A lot can change in a week or two, so stay up to date with the latest news. Then adjust your plans accordingly.
5. Sort the Email Inbox
In a perfect world, putting email issues in order should be a simple 10-minutes matter. All you need is to delete the unnecessary messages and answer the necessary ones. But not after vacation! A legion of messages has been poured into the inbox, half (or even the lion’s share) of which are advertising mailings and newsletters with different services’ updates.
Make this task a priority on the first working day.
Keeping mail unread ad infinitum is impossible; moreover, it is easy to miss something important among incoming messages. Start sorting as soon as you return so a force majeure case doesn’t happen later.
6. Start with a Challenge
After you take in the news from colleagues and sort emails, take on those tasks that will astound you. There aren’t any? Okay, start with tasks which interest you the most and stave off boredom. If tasks are amazing, you will not even notice the time!
For example, after a vacation, the author of this article starts by looking for new interesting topics and amusing facts for you. Research is the fun part and motivates us to share more insights!
If routine tasks have built up, delegate them.
7. Chat and Recharge with Positivity
Chatting with colleagues while having a cup of coffee and sharing interesting vacation stories with each other, fills you with positivity for the rest of the day!
Even if you communicate while you work, whether it is brainstorming creative ideas or discussing something serious, you feel engaged. Feeling involved provides a drive for achievement, activity, and fuels creativity!
