The Back to Work Struggle
Returning to work after the holidays is always a bit of a challenge… even for someone like me, who LOVES their job! I’m not going to lie, it definitely took me a good few days to get back into the swing of things in early Jan. I am putting it down to this year may potentially being a little more challenging, due to the fact that we haven’t been able to travel and have a “proper” holiday in almost a year… AND for those who have been working from home for a while, you have likely been spending time off in the same place as you have been working – your home.
I do think that the beginning of a new year is a great time to assess where you are at in your work. Yes, it is normal to return to work after holidays feeling a little flat… who doesn’t love holidays?! But let’s dig deeper. Does this “flat feeling” last more than a few days / one week? If your answer is yes – think about if it may be more than just post-holiday blues? Or is it a bigger issue that may require you to reconsider your job?
On the flip side, many of us will be feeling re-energised and ready to jump right into the new year after some time off relaxing and recuperating. As employers, a great way to leverage this revitalisation of staff is to start the year with strategy sessions to engage and invigorate them, discussing ways to enhance what you do as a business. Focus on what is going to be fun or exciting about being back at work in the office!
We could also start to focus on some goals for the year ahead – perhaps restore those ones that disappeared during the strange year that was 2020. On a personal level – identify your career, KPI’s or other work-related goals that will establish direction for you and allow you to put in place some new goals for the year. It is a great time to stop and re-evaluate what it is that you enjoy doing in your work?
We have come back into the office all guns blazing for a huge 2021! We are kickstarting the year with strategy sessions on how we can AMPLIFY what we are doing as a business – around client and candidate engagement, team activities, staff training / development and how we can continue to make an impact on the community. This year for us, it’s all about over-communicating in everything we do.
Although most workplaces provide flexibility now around working from home and working from the office, I do believe that returning to a physical office space helps our brains actually switch back into work mode after some time off. So, let’s get back to it! It’s OK to take a little longer to ease back into things again this year, but I encourage you to really have a think around why it might be taking longer to adjust to the new year (apart from those obvious COVID-related reasons). Set those goals, hold yourself accountable and let’s smash 2021!