Page 43 - GS190702

Inspiration

Back to work after vacation

ike people in all walks of life, payment profes- Move your body
sionals typically take vacations at this time of
year. Some fly to adventures in far-off lands; oth- Vacation experiences can boost a person's spirits; sometimes
L ers drive to favorite spots close to home. All face returning home can lower them. One way to counteract this
the inevitable return to work when vacations end. Some if you feel your emotions dip is to do something physical.
returning workers dive back in with ease; others groan Lifting weights, swimming, dancing, walking, and doing
and drag their feet. If you're about to enjoy some much- yoga speed the release of endorphins, the hormones that
deserved time off, here are steps you can take to transition trigger uplifting feelings.
back to work with relative ease. Don't overdo it
Prepare When you arrive at your desk, don't dive right back in.

Take steps before you depart to ensure you'll come back to Hopefully, one of the first things you'll do is meet with your
a well-organized situation. colleague or manager and get an overview of major events
• Clear your desk and office of clutter so and changes that occurred in your absence, if any.
If you didn't set this up in advance, check
you'll return to an orderly environ- in with the person most knowledgeable
ment. about your area of responsibility, and
• Make a list of your projects, get filled in as soon as possible. This
with brief status notes, to will affect how you approach the
help you get back up to rest of your day. Next, take a lit-
speed. tle time to plan and prioritize
• Delegate tasks that your tasks.
cannot wait until
your time off is over. Focusing on what is most
important will also help
• Don't set any impor- you avoid getting lost in
tant deadlines for an email quagmire, which
the first few days af- could easily eat half of your
ter your return. day. On day-one, respond
• Set automated out- only to messages that are
of-office messages for time sensitive.
your email and voice-
mail accounts. Remember to take breaks,
too. Stretch. Take brisk walks
• Set only one appointment outside. These are good times
for the day you return: a to share highlights from your
morning meeting with your vacation, whereas interrupting
closest colleague or manager your work to talk about your time off
to get briefed on key events that would hinder your productivity.
occurred while you were gone.
Replace angst with gratitude
Take a buffer day
Transitioning from vacation to work can stir up feelings
Some people arrive home from a trip, wake up to their of loss, longing for additional time or a more affluent
alarm the next day and immediately snap back into their lifestyle, and other unpleasant feelings. One way to help
workday routines. It is wise to allow a day or two for you drive negativity away is to fondly recall highlights from
to settle back in at home before you head back to the office. your vacation. Be grateful for having experienced such a
Use the buffer time to unpack, do laundry, go shopping for fine time, and return to work with a smile in your heart,
groceries, or check in with family and friends – all without knowing vacations are icing on the cake to a rewarding life
rushing. You can also catch up on sleep, especially if you overall.
are experiencing jet lag.

Kate Gillespie, President and CEO
43