Coming back to work after holidays is hard, I get it – and I feel it! Gone are the long days relaxing by the pool, or lounging around with friends and family as we escape the usual crazy schedule of our day-to-day lives.
But the transition back to work doesn’t need to be too hard if you put a plan in place. Repeat after me, “I will be fine, I just need to get through these first couple of weeks back and then I’ll be back to my usual productive self”. To help you, here are some tips to make the transition to work easier after escaping reality.
1. Start a day earlier
Now, I don’t mean to go back to work a day earlier! Just get organised a day earlier. Do your laundry, get your lunches and snacks together, get the kids bags, clothes and lunches sorted and prepare anything else you can that will make your morning easy and stress-free.
2. Catch up with colleagues
Before diving into all of your emails and work, speak to your colleagues ask them how things were while you were gone. Did anything significant happen that you need to know about?
3. Clean up and organise your inbox
Now you will no doubt have lots of emails to catch up on. But as you are going through them ask yourself, “Do I need to read them all now?” (Well, mine you do!) Also, don’t get stuck in the trap of reading them in chronological order (oldest first). Instead sort them by sender or subject, as this will help you determine their level of importance faster.
4. Review your calendar
This step can get some in the mind frame of, “why did I even bother going on holidays, I have so much to do!” And I get it; we’re all busy. But if you have an understanding of what is happening and coming up then you can start to get your head around any thoughts you may have on the subject of the meeting and how your day and week needs to be planned.
5. Make a list and prioritise
Write down everything you have to do – but don’t let yourself get stuck in overwhelm. Highlight what needs to be done this week and then break it down further into what must be done today. But don’t create an impossible list, have your core tasks and then a ‘would be nice to-do list’. Remember to do one task at a time; multi-tasking isn’t good for your brain or stress levels.
6. Remove distractions
Close down social media each day at work for at least a week. It’s not fun knowing that others are still on holidays while you aren’t.
7. Check in with your customers and prospects
Give it a couple of days but take the time to connect with your clients and prospects and let them know you’re back. It’s a simple customer service technique that can make a big impression. And don’t forget to ask about their holidays, it’s an excellent opportunity to build rapport!
8. Look after yourself
You might be tempted to go crazy and work insane hours to catch up – after all, you did take a holiday! But this approach will have its own set of consequences, and you will more than likely get tired and sick, and your efforts will be counterproductive. Follow the steps above, and you will get all the things you need to get done in a realistic timeframe.
9. Finally – book your next holiday
If anything will help it’s the fact that you know you have another one coming up soon!
Need a little more help to get back into the swing of things? Want to ensure this year is the year you help more people than ever before? Call me on 0409 129 723.
Need a professional speaker?
Kylie Denton is an informative, engaging and results-driven speaker who helps financial planners, advisers, brokers, agents, dealer groups and corporates drive effectiveness and boost your business.
Using her insight into best practice processes and frameworks that are being used by blue chip companies like QSuper, Suncorp, Energy Super and NAB, and her firsthand knowledge of the financial services sector, Kylie will help you streamline your business, get the most out of your team, convert more sales and create customer experiences that are second to none.
PS – Whenever you’re ready, here are FIVE ways I can help you become a better leader…
1. Take my FREE masterclass “3 Steps to Leadership Excellence”
A step-by-step roadmap to guide you from wherever you are now on your leadership journey to becoming a truly world-class leader.
2. Read my book “Empowering Employees Through Effective Delegation”
If you lead a team, you need to master delegation. Learn how to delegate effectively and what to do if it all goes wrong.
3. Book a 15-Minute “Discovery Call”
Develop a personalised leadership development plan that will get you results in the next 6 to 12 weeks and beyond.
4. Want to up your Leadership Game to the next level? Register to our Leadership Development Program
Find out more about our Leadership Excellence Program – Equipping leaders wit the necessary skills to lead high performing teams.
5. Take our 3 minute quiz to discover your Top 10 People Leadership Strengths
Thousands of people have taken our quiz and used their strengths to achieve their goals. Take the quiz today and see what you can achieve.
FREE Resources To Get You Started
Register for our FREE Weekly Leadership Development Webinars
Keep growing, inspiring and leading. Leadership is a journey not a destination, as leaders we should continue to grow ourselves so we can grow others. Join us for our FREE webinars where you'll gain valuable tools, resources and insights. Our workshops are designed for leaders and managers who want to take their leadership to the next level.
Take our FREE People Leadership Quiz
Thousands of people have taken our quiz and used their strengths to achieve their goals. Take the quiz today and see what you can achieve.
Watch our FREE Leadership Masterclass
If you're sick of being pulled from pillar to post every day, frustrated by under performing team members, or struggling with low confidence or imposter syndrome then this new leadership masterclass training is for you. I'll share the 3 most common warning signs and 3 simple fixes and a step by step plan to help you become more confident, trusted and respected leader who delivers results.
