How To Effectively Return To The Office After Vacation

This expert opinion by Rashelle Isip, productivity consultant and time management coach at The Order Expert, was originally published on Inc.com.

You’ve had the most relaxing vacation over the past several days but are dreading returning to the office. Even if you absolutely love working as an entrepreneur, the sheer thought of getting back to the daily grind is enough to make you sigh. The truth is there’s a sharp contrast between relaxing on a beach with your favorite tropical drink and doing a stack of administrative paperwork in your office.

My work as a productivity coach involves helping people navigate all aspects of their work life, including returning to the office after an extended break. The key to bridging the transition is to smooth out the shift from rest and relaxation with thoughtful preparation. By following these practical tips, you can hopefully make returning to the office a little less stressful and chaotic for yourself.

Keep Your Schedule Light.

The first few days upon returning to the office should be a time where you can gently ease back into your regular routine. Why? You want to maximize that restful time enjoyed during your break and prevent unnecessary stress and aggravation. 

That being said, your first days back should be as close to your normal daily routine as possible. Stick to working during your regular working hours. You should also make a point to leave work on time and not work late. This is also a great time to get back into the habit of regular lunch and coffee breaks if you’ve inadvertently fallen off the wagon.

You should also refrain from scheduling or holding major events during your initial return to the office. This includes items such as new product launches, service updates, big announcements, or anything that has the potential to have a major impact on your business. 

Postpone External Meetings When Possible. 

Just because you’re in the process of returning to the office doesn’t necessarily mean your calendar should be filled back-to-back with meetings. You must reacquaint yourself with all the activities, news, and updates that took place in your absence. Postpone external meetings, when possible, for a few days after your vacation. Take a moment to physically block out time in your schedule so it’s clear to others that you will be unavailable during this time. 

Of course, there will always be situations when you may need to keep an existing scheduled meeting with a client or hold a follow-up call with a vendor. However, these should be the exceptions, not the norm. 

In the meantime, consider using this time to catch up with your team, either in one-on-ones or in group meetings. The point of this exercise is to have you consciously aware of which meetings you’re scheduling and when. 

Schedule Time For Administrative Work. 

Administrative work isn’t necessarily viewed as glamorous among business owners in the best of times. That’s exactly why you should set aside some time to tackle administrative items upon returning to the office. If you don’t take care of them now, there’s a good chance you won’t take care of them later. 

So, what should you work on? Think of all the basic activities related to running a business that tend to cry out for attention upon your return from a vacation. 

Open and process any postal mail or packages that have made their way into your office or work area. Set aside part of a morning or afternoon to work your way through your email, phone, text, Slack, and other messages. Declutter and tidy up your desk, files, and work area as necessary. 

And that’s just lightly scratching the surface. Depending on your business, you may need to address other necessary administrative items. These might include tasks such as signing paperwork, approving timesheets, filing reports, generating invoices, paying invoices, ordering supplies, or simply planning your upcoming workweek.