Returning to work after the long New Year holidays is often difficult: your head is in chaos, deadlines are looming, and so many tasks have piled up that it seems you can’t handle them. In order not to lose control and avoid stress, it is important to get into the work rhythm correctly. We have prepared 7 proven methods that will help you tune in to productive work and avoid chaos, even if it seems like everything has piled up at once.
Adaptation without unnecessary movements
Don’t try to get into your usual rhythm right away. Allow yourself to adapt smoothly. Start with simple tasks: organizing your workspace, sorting your mail, planning your tasks for the week.
The main thing is not to overload yourself with complex projects in the first days - this can lead to burnout. A gradual start will help maintain motivation.
Follow a sleep schedule
According to various studies, normal sleep increases productivity by 30%. Try to go to bed and get up at the same time to ease the transition to work mode.
- Set your alarm for the same time, even on weekends.
- Don't use gadgets an hour before bed.
- Add evening rituals to relax, such as reading a book or taking a warm shower before bed.
Start planning
Write down all the tasks, but focus on the top three on the first day. For example: finish a report, have a call with a client, schedule a meeting with the team. Without a clear list of tasks, it is easy to drown in the chaos of endless deadlines. Try this algorithm:
- Write down all the tasks that come to mind.
- Prioritize using the Eisenhower matrix: Urgent and important. Not urgent, but important. Urgent, but unimportant. Unimportant and not urgent.
- Break your day into time blocks to complete specific tasks.
Example: instead of a general item "Prepare a report", write down a specific action - "Collect data for the report" or "Write a draft". This way you will see your progress.
Create a working atmosphere
It has long been proven that cleanliness and order in the workplace contribute to concentration. After all, when there is chaos around, it is difficult to concentrate on work.
What can be done:
- Remove old documents and unnecessary things from your desktop.
- Update the interior: add a houseplant, a stylish organizer or an inspiring quote.
- Create comfortable conditions: adjust the lighting, make sure that the chair, table, laptop, headphones are in working order.
- Prepare all equipment for convenient use so that nothing irritates you.
Even small changes to your workspace can significantly increase motivation and productivity.
Informal communication with colleagues
Add some small talk to your morning meetings. Sharing holiday impressions can help reduce anxiety and get you in the mood for work.
Helpful tips:
- Organize a morning meeting to share plans for the week.
- Have lunch with colleagues or a coffee break to discuss personal or work-related issues.
- Support colleagues who may also be having a hard time getting back into work mode.
It is important to remember that you are “in the same boat” with your colleagues, so mutual support will let you know that you are not alone and will help you get back to work faster.
A healthy mind resides in a healthy body
Add physical activity to your schedule: morning exercises, walks or sports. According to research from Harvard Medical School, regular exercise helps reduce stress levels and improves concentration at work. Even 10 minutes of exercise in the morning can significantly increase your energy levels.
In addition, do not forget about a balanced diet. A high-protein, high-carbohydrate breakfast like oatmeal or chicken breast and greens on toast will keep you energized throughout the day. Eating healthy snacks like nuts or fresh fruit will help you avoid sudden fatigue spikes.
Time Management
Time management is the basis of effective work. Use techniques that will help you avoid overload and focus on priority tasks. Here are some of them:
- Pomodoro Technique: Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After 4 cycles, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes.
- 2-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than 2 minutes, do it right away.
- ABCDE Technique: Divide tasks into categories by importance and focus on the highest priority ones.
Self-motivation and control also play an important role. Come up with small rewards for completing tasks: a cup of coffee, a short break for a walk, or watching your favorite video. Such simple incentives help maintain motivation.
How not to drown in a stream of messages in work chats
Notifications in messengers, questions, tasks, multiple discussions - all this creates a feeling that you need to answer everything at once. What to do?
- Don't read everything in a row. Turn off notifications to avoid getting overwhelmed. For example, if a chat is discussing a project that doesn't concern you right now, mark it for later reading instead of reading everything at once.
- Prioritize. Read only important messages. For example, if a colleague in a chat asks about the status of a task you're responsible for, give a quick answer and then move on to other tasks.
- Star messages in chats. If the questions aren't urgent, simply mark them so you can come back to them when you have time.
- Take frequent breaks. After discussing one task in a chat, take a break before discussing another topic. This will allow you to rest a little and collect your thoughts.
Important conclusions
Remember that adapting to workdays after the holidays takes time, so do not try to work yourself to exhaustion, even if you have the strength and desire. During the period of restructuring, it is important to maintain a balance between work and rest - this will help you gradually return to your usual rhythm without losing productivity and without sacrificing your health.
