How to Ease Back into Work After Vacation

You’ve just returned from a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation. You’re probably not ready to jump back in and start working at the same pace as before your time away. I know that I want to savor the benefits of having been on vacation. Here’s how to ease back into work after vacation. This is how I manage the transition back to work.  

Ease back into your routine. Let’s be realistic. It’s difficult to dive back into work on your very first day back after a fun-filled vacation. Give yourself a post vacation bonus and allow for a transition period. Block out your first day back on your calendar for catching up with colleagues and tasks. Hold off meetings for a day or 2 until you’ve gotten organized so you can hit the ground running.

Get back on track. Consider updating your auto responder email message to advise that you are back in the office and will be responding to emails within the next 24 hours. Be sure to shut off the auto responder as soon as this task is done. Update your outgoing voicemail message with as appropriate. Schedule time for calls to be returned and priority tasks to be done. Have informal briefings with key colleagues so you can be brought up to speed on the current projects and issues. Create a new to-do list as you go through this process.

Slow and steady. Remember the purpose of vacation… to relax and re-energize. It can be overwhelming to dive back into the work mode especially if you’re still enjoying the benefits of having been away. Pace yourself so that you’ll be focused as you review the upcoming priorities, issues to be addressed, and projects that will require immediate action. It won’t take you long to get back into the work rhythm, so allow yourself to take it slow on that first day.

Let’s be realistic… I know I’m not usually ready for the fun and relaxation of vacation to end. How about you? These 3 tips concerning how to ease back into work after vacation will help prolong the benefits of having been away.  I would love to hear how you ease back into work mode… reach out to share.