The festive season is a magical time of year, filled with family gatherings, cosy evenings, and plenty of delicious food. But once the tinsel’s packed away and the last mince pie has been eaten, getting back to work can feel like a challenge and you’re struggling with how to stay motivated after the holidays. If the thought of returning to your usual routine feels overwhelming, don’t worry—you’re not alone.
Here are some practical tips to help you stay motivated and ease into the new year with purpose and positivity.
Reset Your Mindset
Before diving headfirst into emails and deadlines, take a moment to reset your mindset. Reflect on what you accomplished last year, both professionally and personally. Celebrating past wins—even the small ones—can give you a sense of progress and motivation for what’s next.
Next, set achievable goals for the year ahead. Focus on what excites you about your work or the skills you want to develop. Setting clear intentions will help you return with a renewed sense of purpose.
Ease Back into Work Mode
Whilst you may feel overwhelmed and want to tackle everything all at once, try not to. Organisation is key in your first couple of days so that you’re not feeling burnt out before the year has already begun. When you get back in after the new year, you should try to:
- Prioritise your tasks: Look at your workload and prioritise them in order of importance. A clear plan of what to tackle will help you feel more at ease.
- Break Larger Projects Down: Although it might feel criminal that you have been tasked with such a big task straight out of the holidays, it does happen, and you must be prepared for it. Breaking your projects down into smaller more manageable steps can help.
- Be kind to yourself: Everyone is in the same boat, and it can take time to adjust again, especially if you had the whole of the festive period off. Don’t be too disheartened when you can’t get up to full speed on day one.
Create a Fresh Routine
If you were feeling a bit burnt out before leaving for the holidays, returning to work is an excellent opportunity to refresh your daily routine. Start by giving your workspace a tidy-up—something energising about starting the year with a clean, organised space.
Research has shown that clutter and mess can increase cortisol levels in the body, which is also known as the ‘stress hormone’.
Consider making small changes to your workday schedule, like setting aside time for regular breaks or blocking out a quiet hour each morning for focused tasks. A fresh approach can make your day feel less monotonous.
Stay Organised and Focused
After a break, it’s easy to feel scattered. Regain control with these simple steps:
- Plan Your Day: Use a planner, digital calendar, or task management app to keep track of deadlines and meetings. Whatever method works best for you, utilise it.
- Write a To-Do List: There’s nothing more satisfying than ticking off tasks as you go.
- Avoid Multitasking: Focus on one thing at a time to maintain quality and reduce stress.
Reconnect with Colleagues
Work isn’t just about tasks—it’s also about people. Take time to catch up with colleagues, whether it’s a quick chat over coffee or a team lunch. Sharing holiday stories can boost morale and help everyone feel more connected.
Maintain Work-Life Balance
The post-holiday period can be draining, and you may feel the January blues are well on their way, so prioritise your well-being. Make time for exercise, eat well, and get plenty of rest. Scheduling something fun outside of work—like a dinner with friends or a weekend walk—can give you something positive to look forward to.
Celebrate Small Wins
Motivation comes from progress, so take a moment to recognise what you’ve achieved, no matter how small. Whether it’s completing a challenging project or making it through a busy week, celebrate your efforts.
If you have any emails that have praised you for your efforts, keep them all together in a separate email inbox, looking over these can be a great motivator to power through the first weeks back.
Even a simple “well done” to yourself can be a powerful motivator and is a great way to stay motivated after the holidays.
Final Thoughts
Returning to work after the Christmas holidays can feel like a slow climb. but with the right mindset and some thoughtful planning, you can ease back into your routine and set yourself up for a successful year ahead. Be patient, stay positive, and remember—you’ve got this.
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