By now, most of us are back from the Christmas break. We should be refreshed and raring to go for the new year – but often, that’s not the case. As our eyes inevitably drift to the window, we see beautiful blue skies and bright hot sun. The beach is beckoning. But alas, there is work to be done!
It can sometimes be difficult to realign ourselves with our business goals after the holidays – whether that means searching for a profit increase, or simply searching for a solution to excess stock. A big part of the holidays is letting all that go – so you can recharge and recuperate without business stresses hanging over your head. But sometimes it can be difficult to get our heads back in the game.
So, when the post-holiday blues have hit, so what can you do to grab 2019 with gusto?
Get organised
It may sound simple: after following a break, it can be difficult to pick up where you left off. You may even feel a little lost and not know where to start.
So instead of sitting in front of your computer staring at the screen hoping inspiration will strike, take some time to review what you were doing before the holidays and go through your emails.
Write a list of everything you need to do, people you need to speak to and things you need to action immediately. This will help you focus your attention and kickstart your to-do list.
Reconnect with your co-workers
It may have only been a couple of weeks but with so much happening during the festive season, it’s important to take some time to reconnect with your co-workers. Find out how their holidays have been and what they are looking forward to this year.
Social interaction is important for any business culture and it can be surprising how other people can become a motivating force. So, take the time to catch up. You (and your work) will be better for it.
Take a break from social media!
Some of us find this difficult – but ultimately, social media can seriously hinder our performance at work. As we search for distraction in the form of jet-setting friends and cute dog pictures, we can struggle to align ourselves with what really matters.
Use your work time for just that…work! Don’t let yourself be distracted by the latest happenings on Instagram or Facebook. We know that some people are still on holiday, but that doesn’t have to derail us from achieving our own goals. When you stop chasing their good time, you’ll be more motivated to focus on the work at hand.
Compulsively checking social media can really stretch out our unproductive periods during the day. Some studies suggest that we spend upwards of 135 minutes on social media per day. Think of how much time that eats into our work life – and how much it can disrupt our flow at work.
So, take a break from social media to help yourself lock into the work at hand.
Get stuck right in!
If you’re feeling a little demotivated, get involved in a project or come up with some new ideas to implement within the business. Taking on a formal role to make changes may add additional work, but you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and have a purpose each day in making something happen.
Keep your work/life balance
A lack of productivity can lead to working later as a way to compensate – don’t fall into this trap. It’s important to build a healthy work/life balance but as a way to get back on track and firing on all cylinders, set a rigid schedule and make sure you stick to it! Getting into a routine will help you to compartmentalise and allow you to concentrate more easily on the task at hand during the working day, enabling you to relax at the end of it.
Just a few simple changes can make the world of difference to how you approach your working week especially after a holiday or break away.
Bartercard – Connecting Business, Connecting People
For more business tips, download our free eBook – The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Small Business Owners. Find out more about how Bartercard works to help you supercharge your business productivity and grow your business here.
