Leadership Tips

Do you ever feel, after returning to work and home from vacation, that the time away just wasn't worth it? Do you walk into your office and get smacked in the face by a mountain of work awaiting your return?

When I got back from Maine this summer, I found myself faced with the challenge of re-entry, telling myself the very things I've heard myself say to my clients about how to deal with overwhelm.

Despite the fact that my own school days are far behind me, my internal calendar still tells me that the end of August marks the end of summer's freedom and time to get back to the structure of school and homework.

So, since that time is once again upon us, with many of us are getting back into the swing of our regular routines, I want to share some tips about getting back to work without boarding the fast train to a state of exhaustion and depletion.

1. Be realistic. Don't expect to get everything done during the first week back.
2. Set your priorities and keep them visible so you can refer to them when you feel yourself being pulled by non-essential, but demanding tasks.
3. Break large tasks down in to small, manageable chunks.
4. Focus on one thing at a time.
5. Avoid procrastination; the hardest part of many tasks is just getting started.
6. Take short breaks, think about the things you did during your time away; look at pictures you might have taken during your time off, and mentally return to your vacation, just for a few moments.
7. Keep breathing.
8. Set realistic expectations for others; negotiate deadlines. Don't over commit. Be sure you can deliver on your promises.
9. Share vacation stories with those around you. You'll be able to relive parts of yours and perhaps get ideas of where to go for future vacations.
10. Begin planning next year's vacation, so you have something to look forward to.

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Want to explore how to develop your ability to conquer overwhelm? Contact us at (781) 453-2211 so that we can discuss your next steps.