I recently read a short essay musing on Midwestern summers, and how they end much like a Midwestern goodbye: slowly. I think that’s a perfect way to describe August in Iowa.
But no matter how slow or polite the exit, summer is, in fact, ending, and fall will be here before you know it. If you’ve been caught up lounging by the pool, or reading amid the sea and sand, getting back into the swing of business as usual might feel jarring. NAWBO Iowa member Melissa Wagner shares some helpful thoughts on creating a post-vacation routine and setting yourself up for success in the coming months of Q4 and beyond.
Wagner is a leadership and transitions coach for ithrive31, a Des Moines-based company that helps clients “live with greater intention, pursue a goal, take more control, and achieve greater awareness, impact, and significance,” according to the website.
Creating a solid routine to help you transition back to work leads to productivity “because routines deliver consistent results,” said Wagner. “They also reduce stress. Routines build a productive mindset and help you better understand your goals and interests. Routines help you hit your goals.”
If you’re a teacher, or work in another profession that lends itself to low-stakes summer months, you might have mixed emotions about returning full-time in the fall. On one hand, you’re refreshed and excited to jump back in. On the other hand … just one more beach day, please? It’s a double-edged sword. Even if you’re totally ready to get back into your work routine, “make sure you take breaks so that you can re-energize yourself to continue tackling work,” said Wagner. Going all-in too fast can just lead to an early burnout.
Take some time before you get back to the office to establish a few goals you’d like to meet by the end of the year. Create new goals, or reinvigorate ones you may have lost sight of over the summer months. Knowing what you want to achieve can help you understand where to put your focus first when you get back.
Once you decide what needs to be in your routine and understand why it is important to you, define items or areas that could hold you back from being successful, Wagner said. If you’re prepared for roadblocks, you can anticipate solutions to them more easily. And also, “make your routine fun,” she advised, “Add joy into your routine. Find time to celebrate your successes and what you learn from your new routine.”
If you’re getting back from a personal vacation, but the rest of your office has been business-as-usual, it’s highly likely you’ll return feeling behind, and possibly overwhelmed by everything you “missed” while away. First, take a deep breath. Remember that you deserved your time off, and that it’s important to take time away so you can return refreshed. Never feel guilty for using the PTO you dutifully earned.
Wagner offered some advice for staying sane amidst your overflowing inbox. “Tackle tasks in batches. Prioritize your to-do list based on what has come in while you were away. Pace yourself throughout the week and give yourself breaks to help with any feelings of overwhelm.”
And these tips are timely — Wagner was just returning from a vacation herself when she offered these thoughts.
“It's normal to not feel motivated or to feel exhausted after vacation. Ease your way back into work. Plan your day and work to prioritize what's most important. Do not try to tackle everything all at once,” she said.
It’s always okay to ask for help, too. If you find that your to-do list is too much to handle on your own, reach out to your colleagues to see if they can assist with or delegate some tasks so that you can get back on track faster. And remember to add joy, too. You’re back at work, but you can still have fun and make connections with your coworkers. “Interact with others and talk about your vacation. It will help ease you back into work,” said Wagner.
