In Australia, most of the country is back at work today after a long labour day weekend. Here at Puzzle Media on the Gold Coast, we’ve spent a long weekend in Byron Bay, where the sun shone brightly. Coming back to the Gold Coast is never difficult for me because I love it, but I know that some of you may be struggling today..
Whether you have your own business or are working for someone else, it can be difficult to get back into the swing of things after a break. I’m here today to help the process and give you some motivation to see you through until Friday!
1. Do the thing you hate
Write your to do list and do the thing you least want to do first. Whether that’s making an awkward telephone call, catching up with accounts or dealing with a staff issue – just do it. Get it over with and get on with your day.
2. Fresh air
Go outside and get some fresh air! Being outside, even for a short amount of time sets off all those feel good chemicals in your body and makes you smile. So off you go.
3. Plan your week
Four-day weeks are notorious for putting everyone in a spin about there only being four days to do five days worth of work. It’s important to prioritise your week according to deadlines and urgency. If you don’t get that report done before the meeting/send out invoices/brief your team for the week… it could be a disaster. However less urgent tasks can wait. These include working on the presentation that’s not due until next month/meeting with the supplier that you don’t need anything from or reviewing quotes for a project not due to start for another 6 months. Organise a time over the following weeks where you can address these areas. When you’re really overwhelmed, make a list of tasks you can outsource and then look at resources within your team or outsource externally.
4. Something nice
Book in something nice to look forward to. A catch up with friends, some you time, a new fitness class or at worst…. another holiday! When we have something to work towards, we tend to be more productive!
5. Gratitude
Yes – I know. Gratitude, the most overused word in 2014. Want to know why? IT’S IMPORTANT! Be grateful for what you have. Your business may not be going as well as planned, but you have a business. Your job may not be what you want to do forever, but you have a job! It’s about striving for more, whilst accepting, being grateful and enjoying the life you have.
6. Get on with it
Seriously, stop sooking and just get on with it! That work isn’t going to do itself and if you stand still you wont move forward onto new things that won’t make you dread the return to work after the holidays.
I hope this helps. Now off you go. Have a great week and keep smiling.