The holidays are a wonderful time spent with loved ones, but getting back to work after them is an especially difficult task. And although “work beautifies a person,” a lack of productivity is a common problem after a long holiday where you’ve managed to get away from work commitments.
Still, when you sit back down in your favorite office chair, you should know that you don’t have to try to accomplish all tasks in one day. The impossible goal of getting everything done immediately upon returning is one of the reasons we dread the very idea of going back to work.
A major challenge for anyone returning to work after the holidays is increasing or at least maintaining productivity in the workplace.
And yet, getting back to work after the holidays and being productive is especially important to realizing the company’s goals and the projects we have assigned. We need to get into a rhythm quickly and recharge with positive energy and ideas to implement gradually.
In this article, we will look at the top 5 tips from professionals that will show us how to get our productivity back at work after the holidays, according to chanty.
Prioritize your tasks
Let’s face it: prioritizing tasks is hard because almost everything at work seems to be top priority. Less important tasks are easier to allocate, and that can be a good start. For example, using Eisenhower’s matrix, you can divide daily tasks and larger projects like this:
- Urgent and important tasks (these should be taken care of as soon as possible);
- Non-urgent and important tasks (you need to find time for these as soon as the highest priority tasks are done);
- Urgent and unimportant tasks (redirect them to someone);
- Tasks that are not urgent and unimportant tasks (forget about them for a while);
Once you have finished prioritizing tasks, start working on them. Once you check off the first ones on your list, you will feel a certain amount of relief and start to gradually get back into a working rhythm. Remember, it’s better to go a little slower and double check everything, for example, than to rush to complete all the tasks in one day and then have to do them all over again.
Commence your return to work by setting forth clear and actionable tasks
Achieving a balance between assignments is crucial; carefully select your initial task.
While tackling challenging projects first can be beneficial, ensure you accurately gauge your capacity and recognize the importance of each task.
Prioritize seeking guidance from colleagues to catch up on any missed information and familiarize yourself with the current work landscape upon your return. Ease into your workflow with routine and less demanding tasks. Engage in activities like reading documents, preparing reports, and revisiting previous project stages, avoiding immediate involvement in tasks requiring intense scrutiny and concentration.
Facilitate a gradual transition to full-scale work by starting with small, determined tasks. Experience the satisfaction of genuine accomplishment as you progress throughout the day. Ideally, postpone meetings, sales, and negotiations during the initial days following your return from seasonal holidays or vacations. Delving into complex and unstructured tasks immediately can lead to burnout.
Create a home time ritual for work
Establish a post-work ritual for when you return home, especially after seasonal holidays or vacations. Delight in the relaxation that awaits you when you step inside your home.
Consider arranging gatherings with friends, taking leisurely strolls in your favorite park for a coffee, or indulging in some shopping (if you haven’t exhausted your funds during the holiday season). Plan ahead by exploring local concerts, exhibitions, or parties to have something exciting on the horizon.
Crucially, schedule enjoyable activities for the weeks and months following your return home. This ensures you have positive events to anticipate, helping you combat any post-holiday blues. Treat yourself without breaking the bank, ensuring a continuous stream of enjoyable moments both at home and during vacations.
Tidy up your home and eliminate any clutter before resuming work. Place souvenirs on shelves, attend to plants, feed the dog, and handle laundry tasks.
Address mundane household chores that could otherwise distract you during the workday. Set up your work table, clear away dust, get comfortable in your chair, grab a cup of coffee and water, and cultivate the right mindset for a productive start. Begin your work by reviewing important messages and emails accumulated during your holiday. Prioritize tasks to prevent lingering concerns.
Maintain social connections by checking in with co-workers. Engaging in small talk is an effective mood booster for both you and your colleagues.
Clean and tidy office space – the best weapon for productivity
Tidy up your home and eliminate any clutter before resuming work. Place souvenirs on shelves, attend to plants, feed the dog, and handle laundry tasks.
Address mundane household chores that could otherwise distract you during the workday. Set up your work table, clear away dust, get comfortable in your chair, grab a cup of coffee and water, and cultivate the right mindset for a productive start.Begin your work by reviewing important messages and emails accumulated during your holiday. Prioritize tasks to prevent lingering concerns. Maintain social connections by checking in with co-workers. Engaging in small talk is an effective mood booster for both you and your colleagues.
Beautiful holiday memories are very important
Viewing vacation as both a mental state and a physical destination is key. Even when confined to a work-filled office, your spirit can be lifted by cherishing memories from far-flung places.
Enhance your workspace by incorporating scented candles and pictures that evoke the highlights of your recent holiday. Cook dishes that captured your heart during your vacation, letting the aromas and memories bring warmth when needed.
Rather than dwelling on the end of your vacation, consider planning for the next one. If an immediate getaway isn’t feasible, plan a small daycation in the coming weeks.
Similar to a vacation, returning to work necessitates preparation and patience. Post-holiday blues are a common part of life, but by infusing elements of your vacation into your daily routine, you can keep the spirit alive.