We all want to start a new year with vigour and higher energy than when we left for our December holidays, however often people feel at their very lowest around a week after returning to work after a summer vacation.
There may be an overwhelming sense of deja vu and the same things you felt that were dragging you down are still there and you may feel yourself longing to be back on that beach, in holiday mode once more. This is of course completely human of you!
The best advice we can give – is that you will get back into a rhythm and this just takes some time and positive mindset and affirmations are key to getting through the return to work, alongside setting time to go to the beach and do things that you enjoy each day, setting rewards each day that will help you navigate the initial discomfort of returning to the workplace.
Some of our key tools for the most positive return to work after holidays include:
1. Make time for you (even if it is 30 minutes) daily. Get some sunshine, exercise or do something that refills the tank and that you can look forward to.
2. Engage, and tackle something you would rather put off and get it off your plate – you will feel a sense of achievement and relief that it is done and dusted. (Do the menial tasks you have been procrastinating about first!)
3. Energise yourself by meeting with and engaging with business colleagues that challenge and with whom you can bounce ideas and be energised by.
4. Set some stretch goals for your own growth and achievements in the year ahead and then document and communicate these to people, for accountability, commitment and support.
5. In addition to the above, if you have done a self-assessment/ career deep-dive and decided it is time for a challenge elsewhere – talk to a professional recruiter/ head-hunter and make a plan for finding your next role, organisation and challenge.
Tips for Leaders returning to work:
– Remember that all your team members may not have had a great break and therefor not come back feeling energised so check in ASAP
– Set goals and connect to purpose for all team members (individually and as a team) together as soon as possible and where needed get people focused on tasks, where they may be struggling and need routine and more tactical focus they can deal with at this stage.
– Act as an ambassador and lead by example by ensuring people take care of their wellbeing daily from the get go, to foster positive thinking, clarity and engagement on return to work and check in on folk to ensure they are doing the above tips.
– Set some milestones early and some things that can be celebrated along the way, early in the year to keep people on track and seeing visible accomplishments.
Some links you may wish to check out related to this topic:
https://www.dalecarnegie.com/blog/how-to-reframe-negative-thoughts-at-work/
Michelle & Wayne are Co Founders & Directors of Fusion Partners and specialise in mid to executive level search, selection and recruitment services, across People & Culture, Health, Safety & Wellbeing and Tier 2 + 3 Leadership roles.