We've all heard the saying, "January is the new February." With the New Year fresh on our heels and families having just departed after their visits, we may be ready to get back to our regular schedule with our goals for the year. Yet, a part of you feels overwhelmed at the thought of getting back into daily momentum because you're not in your routine yet. There could be many reasons for this. With the holiday season, you might still focus on fun, family, friends, and food; returning to reality may be difficult.
We know that getting back into the swing of things can feel hard. It's not just about getting new tasks on your to-do list. It's about getting your body and mind into the right rhythm. It's like starting a workout routine after you've been inactive for a while. You might think, "I'm ready to get back into things!" But then you realize your body still needs to catch up with your brain. The time spent away from work also means you have much catching up to do—it can feel like an entire month has been lost.
Now that the holidays are over, it's time to get back to work. But how? Here are 7 tips to help you get back on track after the holidays:
1. Hit The Reset Button
You may still be feeling sluggish since the holiday season. Remember, winter is about hibernation and reflection, so this is the perfect time to take a moment to pause, breathe and reflect. Give yourself a bit of grace as you transition back. So during this time, hit the reset button and reset your goals and your intentions, both personal and professional. You might want to force yourself to get started and move against the resistance that's stirring inside you, but that only hinders your progress. Pull out an old school notebook and a pen and realign.
2. Start Small
Don't start too much at once! It's easy to get overwhelmed by the number of things you need to do in a day or even a week, so it's best to start small. If you have multiple tasks that need completing, break them down into smaller chunks and tackle them one at a time. This will help you stay focused and keep your mind off the bigger picture. Start with one priority task and then move on to another when that one is complete. This way, you can stay focused on what matters most and not get overwhelmed by too many things at once.
3. Set Realistic Goals For Yourself
When setting goals for yourself, make sure they are realistic and attainable so that you can feel good about meeting them instead of feeling frustrated when they aren't completed within the timeframe you had hoped for (this happens to me all the time).
For example, if your goal is to write one blog post every week, then don't set yourself up for failure by saying, "I'm going to write five articles this month." Instead, maybe say something like, "I'm going to write one article this week" or "I'm going to work on writing 500 words every other day." Setting realistic goals gives you room for error and allows you to focus on what matters most at that moment without feeling pressured by unrealistic expectations.
4. Take More Breaks
Considering that the holidays come with breaks in between, it's quite challenging to go full throttle on your work schedule. It's okay to take some breaks throughout the day to recharge and recharge your batteries. You might feel like you need to jump right into the grind, but taking some time for yourself first is essential. This could be as simple as walking around the neighborhood or taking a few minutes to breathe deeply before answering calls, attending meetings, or diving into your to-do list.
5. Feng Shui Your Work Environment
Instead of jumping right into work, consider changing your work environment. Take a moment to declutter your work area and digitally declutter your files. Redecorate your work area to support any personal and professional changes that might have occurred during these last few weeks. Place inspiring photos around your workspace, and maybe purchase an easy plant to care for or even some flowers. Sprucing up your workspace can give you the energetic momentum you didn't know you needed.
6. Ask For Support
If you still feel overwhelmed, ask for support and flexibility. Maybe you need to change your schedule by starting later or earlier. Will a more extended lunch break be more helpful to you as you transition? You'll be surprised at how much your workplace might support a flexible work schedule considering that the pandemic has redefined what it means to work with more flexibility.
7. Shake Your Body
If you're still feeling sluggish, then think about moving your body. Energy that becomes stagnant in our bodies often makes us feel tired and stiff. Think about shaking your body by taking a fitness break. It doesn't need to be super intense, do something that gets your blood pumping and your breath elevated for a few minutes. You can even take a moment to stretch. By bringing more circulation into your body, you'll be able to counter that sluggish feeling.
The post-holiday lull sadly comes around every year, but we hope these 7 tips can help you get back into the groove and find your rhythm. Remember to create a system that works with your lifestyle, schedule, and goals.
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