The holidays are over. That means it’s time to get back to business. The problem is we’re likely not feeling very productive after several weeks of being merry. We’re also probably exhausted because of holiday obligations.
However, the world does not stop because of how you’re feeling. Money also doesn’t sleep. It doesn’t wait around until you’re feeling up to working. That’s why it’s imperative that you get back to business as soon as possible after the holiday season – especially if you took a significant amount of time off. Here are a few ways to do that.
Start small.
The first step in getting back to business after the holiday season is to start small. If you are coming off of a few days of vacation, the last thing you are going to want to do is start off by tackling a big project.
Here are some ways you can start small when you’re getting back to business:
- Handle small tasks like emails you need to answer.
- Start with the easy tasks first so you build momentum.
- Do the first step of a bigger project.
By starting small, you trick your brain into thinking you’re being productive. You also ease back into the groove of the grind instead of jumping in head first.
Just go for it.
Depending on your personality, you may not like starting small. In fact, if you’re anything like me then you just like to tackle things head on and get them over with. Maybe the thought of a challenge even gets you inspired.
If that’s the case for you as it is for me, then jump in head first. You can even start with the most difficult task since it will make you feel like you accomplished something.
Additionally, for some people, the anxiety of having a lot to do is much worse than actually doing it. This happens to me quite a bit because I assume tasks are going to be more arduous than they actually are. By jumping in head first I ease the anxiety, get my work done and get back to business.
Start delegating.
Getting back to business after the holiday season can feel very overwhelming. Part of that feeling of overwhelm is because we see a mountain of tasks we need to handle.
But what if I told you all those tasks weren’t necessarily for you? In fact, you can get a lot of things off your plate so you can focus on the important stuff.
The way you do this is by starting to delegate tasks to other people. If you already have a team, you can get back to business by delegating tasks to other people. That way you have a clear to-do list.
If you don’t have a team to delegate to yet, now is the time to start considering building one. Over time, delegating tasks to others will help you deal with the feeling of overwhelm simply because you realize you don’t have to do everything yourself. You essentially reclaim your time.
Final Thoughts
Getting back to business after the holidays doesn’t need to be a drag. Even if you’re not as focused as you normally are, by using these tips you can get back to work and start the new year off on the right foot.
Amanda Abella
Amanda is a best-selling author of "Make Money Your Honey", a book that helps freelancers and business owners understand their relationship with money and how to make it more productive. She's driven by helping others live the most productive and fruitful way possible.