We all need to take a break from work from time to time. Whether you travel, party or just rest at home, that inevitable moment comes when you have to return to work. You don’t want it to catch you unawares, so here are five tips for switching back to work mode.
1. Use the Eisenhower Matrix
Your tasks at work vary in urgency and importance, so you need to prioritize. Use the Eisenhower Matrix to divide your tasks into four categories: Do First, Schedule, Delegate, Don’t Do. Start working on important, urgent tasks immediately. Set a later time to do important, non-urgent tasks. Delegate or outsource urgent but less important tasks. Delete unimportant, non-urgent tasks from your to-do list.
2. Set clear boundaries around your work time
If some of your friends and family are still in the holiday mood, find an empathetic way of letting them know that you need to focus on work and may not be as available as you were while you were on break. Disable notifications and use apps like Freedom and Anti-Social to block out online distractions such as aimless browsing and social media.
3. Find ways to stay inspired
Work hums when you’re inspired. Elevated by the feeling that our company is making good use of our talents, we feel a strong sense of purpose. Avoid feeling stuck and uninspired by taking deliberate steps to improve your work environment. Create an inspirational routine that involves attending professional gatherings, reading books, taking classes and so on. Most people can find an hour in a week to devote to insight-inspiring activities.
4. Practice self-care to avoid burnout
Overworking yourself can harm your health in the short and long term. Practice self-care to reduce the negative effects of work-related stress. There are many activities you can do to promote physical, psychological and spiritual nourishment:
- Take a walk during lunch hour.
- Practice meditation.
- Create time to spend with friends and family over the weekends.
- Make sure you get enough sleep (ideally 7-9 hours).
- Eat healthy meals.
5. Use a daily planner
Staying organized is important, especially if you’re a busy entrepreneur, freelancer or corporate professional. Not many people have the mental capacity to keep track of all their personal and professional obligations. That’s why the most productive people use daily planners to maintain effective schedules, boost their creativity, manage their stress level, track their health, exercise their creativity and keep reliable records.
