How to get back into work mode without burning out in week one
Taking time off at Christmas is a must — and we have a whole blog on why! However, the return to work in the New Year (or after any holiday) can feel like a bit of a trudge. A fortnight of festive celebrations and a relaxed routine can leave you feeling out of sorts when it’s time to get back to work.
Perhaps you dread the shift back into work mode and struggle to concentrate in the New Year. Alternatively, you may find that you launch straight into it, take on a backlog of tasks, and end up feeling burnt out by mid-January.
If either of these scenarios sound familiar, we have some tips to help you strike the right balance. Read on for advice on going back to work after a holiday, so you can feel fresh and motivated while keeping burnout at bay.
Review your schedule ahead of time
Opening the laptop before going back to work might not be the most appealing thought, but checking your schedule before Day 1 of your New Year working week can make all the difference.
You don’t need to jump into answering emails, but familiarising yourself with your upcoming workload can help you adjust mentally and start to process your to-do list.
You may find it best to have a look at your schedule the morning or afternoon before your return to work. That way, you can still have the evening to switch off, relax, and get an early night so you wake up feeling refreshed.
Ease in
Having a look at your schedule the day is one way to ease you back into work mode. But think about structuring your first day back carefully, too.
Jumping straight into back-to-back meetings from 9am can be stressful, so consider blocking out some time in the morning to catch up on admin, do some planning, or otherwise set yourself up for success.
Prioritise your tasks
When you run your own business, there’s always plenty to do. But remember, you don’t need to complete everything right away.
Whether you’ve received dozens of orders over the holiday period, have a full inbox of client queries, or you have some content creation deadlines to hit, put your to-do list into priority order.
Doing so will allow you to plan your time effectively and ensure everything is completed on time — all while pacing yourself.
Take regular breaks
Speaking of pacing yourself, the shift from holiday mode to work mode can feel tiring. After the no man’s land of ‘Betwixtmas’, where time seems to lose all meaning, diving straight into a solid 8-hour working day is jarring.
Taking regular breaks is essential all year round, but it’s especially important when adjusting back into a good workflow. From screen breaks to get a cuppa and some leftover festive snacks to a dedicated lunch hour where you can get some fresh air, make sure to schedule rest periods that provide a change of scenery. These allow you to reset and focus when you return to your tasks.
Depending on how you work best, you might want to set break alarms in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon. Or you could try the Pomodoro time management method, which involves 25-minute concentration intervals, with short breaks between.
Set (and stick to) your boundaries
Regular breaks are one boundary to set for yourself. But there are other vital boundaries to set so you can work efficiently without feeling overwhelmed.
Give yourself dedicated work hours that work for your lifestyle (e.g. 9am–5pm or 8am–2pm followed by 4pm–6pm) and don’t go over them. If you’re due to finish at 5.30pm and a client request comes in at 5.25, let them know you’ll look at it tomorrow!
Be clear when setting scopes of work for projects. If a customer or client request is outside of this scope, communicate this to them. You can then decide whether to complete the request for a higher fee, extended deadline, etc. or simply say no.
Consider a dedicated workspace that can be left behind at the end of the day. Once you’ve finished your work, leave it behind, whether that’s by exiting your office or studio, or simply closing the door to your spare room at home.
Can a virtual assistant help you with January motivation?
If the return to work after Christmas still feels overwhelming, you may find that outsourcing some tasks to a virtual assistant can help you strike that all-important balance.
A virtual assistant (VA) can take on your emails, admin, digital marketing, and so much more. By getting these off your plate, you’ll be able to focus on the areas of your business that you love — and what better way to feel motivated than that?
Ease back into work mode after a holiday with support from Bizzybee. Get in touch to have a chat about your requirements, and make this January the best one yet.
