Hitting the Ground Running Post-Holiday: Strategies for a Smooth Re-Entry
The holidays are a valuable time for rest and connection, but returning to work can feel overwhelming. Whether your break was restful or hectic, a little preparation and intention can ensure a productive post-holiday start.
1. 📋 Take Time to Prepare
Treat your time off like a major project that requires planning. Before you step away:
Assess and Prioritize: Review your current workload. Clearly define which deadlines are must-haves before the New Year and which tasks can safely wait.
Enable Your Team: Complete any necessary tasks so colleagues with different schedules can advance work while you're absent.
Clarify Availability: Decide if you will be available for quick questions. If so, specify the best method (e.g., text only). If not, clearly define what constitutes an emergency and the proper contact protocol for such situations.
Set OOO Notifications: Create detailed out-of-office replies. Remember to include different, specific instructions for internal team members and external clients/collaborators who may still be working.
Streamline Your Inbox: Use email rules to simplify your return. Consider automatically:
Forwarding emails from key contacts to your coverage colleague.
Routing emails where you are just copied to a lower-priority folder.
Color-coding emails sent only to you as the top priority.
2. ✨ Use Your Time Off with Intention
Your break is precious—don't waste it thinking about work.
Truly Disconnect: Avoid the temptation to engage in work tasks or strategic thinking, even if it's to escape holiday obligations.
Focus on Rest and Recharge: Engage in activities that genuinely relax you: take a nap, read a book, go for a walk, or simply sit quietly and stare out the window. If you spend your break reminded of the work that awaits, it ceases to be a break at all.
3. 🗓️ Have a Plan for Re-Entry
A full inbox can be daunting, but a strategic return plan makes all the difference.
The Sneak-Attack Re-Entry: Consider coming back a day before your official return date. Use this quiet, uninterrupted time to catch up on emails and prioritize tasks.
Team Download: Clue in one team member for a quick overview of what progressed while you were away and what needs immediate attention.
Shared Clarity Meeting: If the entire office is closed, book a short, mid-morning meeting with your team on your first day back. Use this time to get reoriented, identify new incoming work, and collectively decide/delegate urgent tasks. Starting the year with a shared clarity on priorities is far more effective than trying to shake off "holiday amnesia" alone.
Don't Forget Yourself: If you were the one covering for everyone else's time off, be sure to schedule your own restorative break, even if it's just a day or two, once everyone else is back. You can't be your best without proper rest.