The Upcoming Holiday
The week before the holidays, it is often the busiest week of the year. We tend to become super-productive as we rush through our to-do list in an attempt to clear everything before we leave. We want to make sure that we have liaised with everyone and tied up all loose ends.
So, what keeps us running during this period?
‘Of course, it’s the upcoming holiday and all of the excitement during the festive period’. However, the week that you return to work after your holiday turns out to be the toughest. Why? Because there isn’t another holiday to look up to.
This year, returning to work after the holidays might prove to be a bit more challenging than it was in the past. Again why? Because you’ve most likely been spending your time off in the very same place as you work – your home. The pandemic has set a trend of working from home, and many people do work from home for most of their week.
The Return to Work
The first few days back from holiday can often be our least productive days. We can feel demotivated and distracted. We often don’t feel ready to resume to our normal hectic pace. We can find it difficult to get back into “work mode”. All the details that were so clear before we left, can seem very blurred on our return.
So, how can we take control and be productive after our holiday?
Planning Ahead
Firstly, it would be ideal if you develop a success plan before you leave for the holiday as it allows you to disengage from stressing about your first day back. Once you’ve got a clear plan and objectives for how you’re going to make that first day comeback, there is no point in pondering over it any further. That’s the key to disengaging from work and allowing yourself to enjoy and relax within the holidays.
Embracing the Blues
It is important that we accept and embrace that the first few days could be difficult, and that efficiency might be low. However, it’s crucial that you tell yourself every day, that getting out of this phase as soon as possible, is the key to attaining your goals.
Prioritising the Key Objectives
Upon return, you will have too much work to take care of. Much of the work will also be scattered in bits and pieces, therefore, it is essential that your work is broken down and listed in smaller attainable tasks. You should breakdown and note which of those tasks are priority and which ones are urgent. This will allow you to get your head straight into what needs to be done.
Review and Set your Goals
While knowing and working on your short-terms objectives and tasks is significant, it is worthwhile to reflect on your long-terms goals and identify what you look forward to achieving. This is one of the most effective ways to boost your motivation. Additionally, as the new year has recently begun, there could be new resolutions and goals that you might be thinking to achieve within this year.
Avoid Work Panic and Relax
People tend to get distracted and start to panic when there is too much on their plate. Although breaking down bigger tasks and listing priorities can be very helpful, it is critical that you do not fall into the puddle of stress and panic. Therefore, spend the first few days of your work in a relaxed manner. Listening to music, going out with colleagues for lunch, and finishing early could help avoid prolonging the post-holiday blues.
And lastly!
Plan your Next Holiday
This may seem counter-productive to start thinking about your next holiday, when you have just returned from the previous one. Your next holiday could be after weeks or months, however, it is a great way to improve and maintain a positive attitude, as it gives you the same hope we talked about in the beginning of the blog. You can once again look forward to another exciting holiday and reward yourself for all your commitment and hard work.