Coming back to work after being off for a few days can be a slog. When you’re gone to go for a long holiday, things could get much worse.
You’ve worked so hard to try to “disconnect” from work mode, and now you’re switching gears because it’s time to get back to work and you need to be productive.
Well, that’s completely understandable. We’re human beings after all. It’s only natural to feel sluggish after being off from work after a long break.
To help you get back to work, here are eight easy ways how to be productive again after a long vacation:
1. Manage your tasks
When returning to work, your to-do list is probably extensive. Even if you feel that you have the energy to throw yourself back again to these projects, it’s a surefire way to get yourself burned out.
What you can do is to start creating a list of the main goals that you want to accomplish this month. Then, start breaking down these goals into simpler, actionable steps, setting specific targets as you go.
Try to take things one at a time so that you won’t easily get overwhelmed from all the post-vacation tasks that are already piling in your desk.
2. Block distractions
A great technique that you can use is to block out your first hour (or day) to allow you to come up with a plan, reassess your priorities, and stay grounded.
Ideally, try to keep your first day free from meetings and appointments. As much as you can, try to keep it open so that you’ll have plenty of time to catch up without feeling overwhelmed.
Also block off digital distractions like your phone and email to help you stay focused, as well as feel great about making some progress.
3. Take a break
If you think that you’re going to focus for nine-hours straight in your tasks, well, you certainly don’t know yourself enough.
Make sure that you take adequate rest periods throughout the day, even if it’s a ten-minute coffee break or eating away from your desk during lunchtime.
Don’t burn all your energy on your first day!
4. Get enough rest
Make sure that you get enough rest the night before. That way, it will be easier to stay focused and maintain discipline. Otherwise, you won’t be doing your best work.
Aim for at least eight hours of sleep before you get back to work from your vacation. Sleep will help you boost your mental alertness while also improving your overall mood.
5. Check your email
Answering emails can also be overwhelming. You might have more than a hundred emails in your inbox now, but not all of them will need your immediate attention.
Try to create a system to respond first to the most important ones, then return to it several hours later. Resist the urge to read and respond to all of them.
Start with the ones that you’ve sent after you left for your holiday, and end with those that you’ve received recently.
6. Clear your mind
When you return to work, you’ll soon realize that there will be a lot of clutter. After the buzz of your recent holiday eventually wears off, you need to do something about it.
Thus, we always recommend workspace decluttering to our clients at Maid Sailors Maid Service Jersey City.
You can start decluttering by sorting your folders, checking your email inbox, and analyzing your usual work routine. This is also a great time to streamline your personal process.
That way, you are able to clear your mind and space of cluttering while establishing new good habits. The reality is, cleaning your desk is more than just decluttering. It’s getting yourself reacquainted with your work.
7. Get back on your routine
The best part of going on a vacation is by breaking your usual office grind. But as we mentioned earlier, it can be challenging to get back to work.
The moment that you get back from your holiday, it’s expected that you need to do a lot of work apart from your usual tasks.
But when you re-commit yourself into a pre-vacation routine, it will help you free up your time and energy when you need it.
8. Bring your vacation back to you
If there’s something fantastic that happened during your vacation, and this evoked pleasurable memories, bring it to your work. Doing so can help you stay positive and more productive.
Another way to do this is to immediately tackle anything that was frustrating to you after you left. By revisiting these obstacles, you’ll be able to effectively tackle things from a fresh perspective.
There you have it. Don’t feel overwhelmed with the workload that will welcome you once you’re back in the office. With a lot of prep work beforehand, and maybe a nice cup of coffee, you’ll get back into your usual routine in no time!
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