Even if you love what you do, heading back to work after the holidays is rocky. You’re still sleepy. You’ve moving a little slowly from all the overeating. Plus, you probably blew the budget in December, so you really need a paycheck.
If you don’t love your job, heading back to work is even harder.
Regardless of which camp you fall into, here are a few ways to alleviate back to work blues and set yourself up for success in the new year.
1. Organize your workspace
If you work at a desk within an office environment, transforming your personal workspace can provide an instant boost. Even better, it’s super simple to do. Investing the time to recreate and organize the space where you work will immediately motive and inspire you.
Think strategically about the tasks you need to complete at your desk and make the space for them. Create a home for your essential items that you use throughout the day. If you don’t need it at your fingertips, create a place to store it and cut the clutter. Treating yourself to new stationery, supplies, a beautifully framed print, a lamp or a potted plant can transform a desk from drab to a space you’re proud to work in.
Finally, make it a habit to tidy your desk every evening. That way you’ll start each day with the perfect platform to do your best work. If your workspace looks great, you’ll feel better about being there. There are bonus points to be gained, too. Without saying a word, maintaining a sleek, streamlined workspace will instantly project a professional, organized persona to everyone around you. No one will guess you’ve got the blues.
2. Review your 2018 accomplishments
Regardless of whether 2018 was stellar, or a year you’re ready to move on from, don’t be too quick to gloss over the past 12 months. Taking time to review what you learned at work and what you accomplished is valuable.
Completing your mini audit will give you a head start on your next performance review. If one of your new year resolutions is to find a new job or score a promotion, this exercise is even more important. Pull out your resume and identify what should be updated.
When it comes to your resume, the strongest accomplishments are quantifiable and measurable. For example, including dollar amounts, percentages, timespans or volume are impactful ways to quantify your achievements on a resume. Pulling together that information can take time, so get a head start and use the first month of the year to revamp how you present yourself on paper.
3. Catch up with your connections
After making it through December’s hectic holiday events, gatherings and travel you may be feeling depleted by January. However, if you’re stressed out or sad to be back at work, don’t hide away completely.
Scheduling coffee dates or lunches to catch up with colleagues, friends and connections you haven’t seen in a while will give you something to look forward to. December is usually occupied with our immediate circle, so January is a great time to reach out to broader people in your network.
4. Schedule a recurring calendar invite for something you love
January is always tough as everyone is scrambling to catch up on lost time from December. Add to the mix a new year resolution that impacts your routine, such as hitting the gym and just like that, the pressure is ON. If your calendar is full of reminders, meetings, deadlines and deliverables you need to find some solace.
My advice is to schedule a recurring calendar invite for something you love with absolutely no judgment. Do it. You deserve it for making it through January.
Post by Octavia Goredema
Octavia Goredema is an award-winning career coach, writer and the founder of Twenty Ten Talent. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or over on Twitter.
