Simple tips to help you get back to the grind after the holidays

What does “back to the grind” mean?

“Back to the grind” typically means going back to work or your regular routine after taking a break to travel, spend time with friends or family or catch up on some rest.

We all look forward to the holiday season. It gives everyone a chance to be with their loved ones, reflect on the year that went by or simply enjoy some time off. With the arrival of a new year, many people set new goals for themselves and hope to have a healthy and productive year. 

The day finally arrives when you are back at your at-home office, and you see there’s a whole lot of work to complete. After a well-deserved holiday, the pertinent question here is, “How does one get back to their routine?”

How do I get back to the grind? 

According to a study conducted by Zapier, 87% of knowledge workers dread getting back to work after a long holiday. The same report also lists some of the key reasons why they feel that way — getting back into a routine, catching up on administrative work, feeling overwhelmed with urgent deadlines, post-vacation blues and facing piles of unread emails and messages.

It can be difficult to find the motivation to transition back into a schedule after taking a long vacation. Here is a list of things you can implement to make sure you comfortably transition back to work after the holidays! 

  1. Use your last vacation day to prepare

It is the last day of your holiday — take this time to prepare for your first day back to work. Simple steps like cleaning your workstation, looking at your calendar, and making a list of ongoing projects is a good way to get back to the grindstone. Use the day to take things slow, catch up on some alone time, sleep well, prepare meals for the next day, squeeze in a little workout or just listen to some soothing music. Make sure you hit the bed early. It is good practice to take a day to get into the mindset of going back to work instead of jumping right into it. 

  2. Make a to-do list and set goals

If you have been away for a few days, there may be a lot of catching up to do. But pace it cleverly. You may find it easier to accomplish tasks if you list them out. This may help you know which tasks you need to prioritize and which ones can wait 'til later. Listing out your tasks may also help you get an idea of which projects you need to tackle yourself and which ones can be shared with your colleagues. 

Maintaining a to-do list is a great way to help you remember what you wish to attain. Plus, crossing off each item on your checklist is positive reinforcement for productivity!

  3. Say goodbye to distractions

Concentrating on tasks especially after a long break can be hard. Controlling the urge to look at your phone every time it beeps is even harder. Avoiding distractions is easier said than done. But start with simple measures like setting a limit on how much time you spend on social media or on your phone. Some other effortless tips include using noise cancellation headphones, avoiding unnecessary and distracting tabs open on your browser, or just closing your office door. 

  4. Keep it simple 

You have made a long list of things to do, and you are avoiding distractions — the next step would be to work on the projects that have tighter deadlines. Constantly follow up with managers and project owners to let them know that you are working on the assignment. 

Procrastinating and keeping the tougher activities for later will only build pressure for you. A good motivation tactic is to tell yourself the sooner you get the tougher tasks out of the way, the sooner you can focus on the easy ones without having to worry about deadlines. Remember you are working remotely which comes with its own set of challenges. Being mindful at work is a good way to boost productivity. Different tactics work for different people. If you find completing little things first can help you stay productive, by all means, stick to what works for you. 

Keeping things simple and straightforward is also one of Geotab's core values. Answer questions like this: Do I focus on fewer things more effectively rather than trying to focus on too much at once? 

  5. Balance office and home tasks  

Don't get overwhelmed with the amount of office work you need to finish. It is easy to dive right into assignments and spend long hours working on them, but this can slowly take over your personal time. Balancing office work and daily chores at home is essential. Chart a sheet with things to be completed at home. You can also make weekly planners that will help you navigate through the two fronts. This is also a good time to focus on existing duties instead of taking newer ones. It is best to stick to your schedule to ensure that you are easing into the new year and making the right decisions for yourself.

  6. Take time to relax 

A good way to deal with work stress is to relax and to be in the moment. Take things slow, meditate, work out, and just indulge in whatever relaxes you. This can help you be more creative,  attentive, and productive. When you do go back to work, communicate with your team for support. Everyone deals with stress differently, take a deep breath and achieve all your new year goals! 

Have more ideas on how to get back to the grind? Let us in on the secret. Follow @InsideGeotab on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and share your tips with us. 

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