Coming back to work or school after a vacation or a long break creates a multitude of problems in terms of productivity and organization. It is hard to revamp your routine, get organized and motivate yourself to start off on the right foot. This transition is even harder in the current world of remote learning and work. I’ve compiled a few tips that will help ease the transition and get you back into the swing of things.
Have a designated “work space.”
It can sometimes be hard to motivate yourself and get into a working mindset while being at home, even with remote work and learning being so prevalent. Now, more than ever, it is important to have somewhere separate from your relaxation space where you can sit down and get into a productive headspace. This can be as easy as working at a desk or moving to your kitchen table. Creating a space where you can “go to work” helps foster productivity and eases this transition from vacation to work.
Set a daily schedule to help implement a routine.
Making and setting a schedule for the day has certainly helped me stay on top of my responsibilities and get things done. Not only does this help with the productivity aspect, but it also helps visualize your day and show when you can relax and do things for yourself. Not to mention the satisfaction that comes from checking all of the “to-do’s” off your daily list.
Create reachable weekly goals for yourself.
Designating goals for yourself is a great way to inspire motivation, but it is equally important to make these goals reachable. This can be something as simple as waking up earlier, or submitting an assignment or project early. Completing a new goal each week is a great way to spark productivity and motivate yourself. It is helpful to follow the SMART goal structure, making your goals specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based.
These are just a few of many ways to shift your focus back from a vacation mentality toward a school and work mentality. In our current uncertain world, it can be useful to implement these tactics to give a sense of normalcy and consistency in your everyday life, as well as keep you on track for your work and goals. The start of a new semester or term is exciting and it’s important to create good habits early — starting strong helps you finish strong!
Written by: Olivia Hanline
1/21/2021