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7 tips for returning to work after the holidays

7 tips for returning to work after the holidays
Written by
Oporto Forte Group
Published on 31 Aug 2021

The Challenge of Returning to Work...

We all know how difficult it is to return to work after a relaxing and well-deserved vacation! On returning, productivity is very low, as we lose our routine, and getting back into the post-vacation groove is super complicated, isn't it? Therefore, to overcome this difficulty, today we provide 7 tips to return to work calmly.

1. Prepare Your Routine Two Days in Advance

One of the main problems for those starting work after vacations is having their sleep schedule completely out of whack. One way to combat this is to change your routine two days before returning to work. Start simulating a normal workday: wake up, have lunch, and sleep at "normal" times. Doing so helps you to be more accustomed to the routine on the first days. Our body and mind live on routines but take quite some time to get used to them. Therefore, starting at least two days in advance is the least you can do.

 

2. Organize Your Day in Detail

When you return to being productive, you are likely to feel lost, not knowing where to start. You will see a thousand and one tasks in front of you, and you won't know where to begin. First of all, focus on just one task! If possible, start with the easier ones to start gaining motivation. Seeing the first tasks completed, the number of things to do will drastically decrease.

 

3. Know Where Your Work Stands

When going on vacation, it's normal to delegate some tasks to your employees or leave your business for a few days to someone trustworthy. Therefore, another of the first things to do when you arrive is to know where your work stands. See how the projects are being developed, what are the problems to be solved, or if there is any dissatisfied customer that needs handling. Don't wait for your team to tell you what to do now. Schedule a short meeting so you can get up to speed on everything.

 

4. Accept That You Will Have Difficulties

One of the problems for those returning from vacation is the difficulty in accepting that in the first days, they will be slower to produce. It's perfectly normal to feel lost! Recognizing your difficulty is the first step to not falling into depression or quickly regaining motivation. So, accept this difficulty and you will see that in a few days, everything will return to normal.

 

5. Remove All Distractions

One way to recover your previous form faster is to set aside everything that can be synonymous with distraction, such as social media. Be strict with yourself and don't waste a minute with these tools. Your goal now is to return to previous productivity levels, the rest are details that, over time, will start to gain the dedication of the past.

 

6. Think Long-Term

Demotivation at work often happens when we return from vacation. One way to try to overcome this period is to grab a piece of paper and plan what you want for the coming months. Dreaming what you want is one way to motivate yourself, and you need that right now. This is because most likely, you are only focused on what is happening: disorganization, low productivity, and little willingness to work. Think long-term to make these feelings disappear.

 

7. Enter "Work Mode"

Phrases like "I wish I could go back to the beach" or "I was doing well at that hotel" are common after the vacation period. For several days you did little, relaxed, and explored new places. Ultimately, that's all we want for our daily lives, right? But the time has come to return to the real world. Therefore, enter "work mode" and avoid phrases like those mentioned earlier. They do little to help you return to previous productivity levels. Say what you want and where you want to go. Anything beyond that will make you take a step back.