After a Vacation, Approach Your To-Do List Thoughtfully

January 3, 2019
After a Vacation, Approach Your To-Do List Thoughtfully
Coming back from vacation can be painful. But you can do a few things to make the return easier. Use your first 30 minutes in the office to look through what’s on your to-do list and make a plan for it. Keep in mind that what’s most urgent now may not be what was most urgent before your time away. Check in with key people to discuss what you missed and what needs your attention. Thank anyone who covered for you, and ask them what they need from you now. If you have to read all the emails that came in while you were away, start by scanning your inbox for key names — your boss’s or a big client’s — and read those first. And as you resume work, don’t let the vacation glow fade. Take moments to remember the best experiences of your time away, and use them to tap into the joy or calm you need to stay energized.

Adapted from “How to Minimize Stress Before, During, and After Your Vacation,” by Tristan Elizabeth Gribbin