How to ease back into work mindset after taking a break
Hi! I'm Bec Sands, and I help professional women pivot to a career or business they love.
Today, I’m discussing how to ease back into work mindset after taking a break.
I’ve personally found it challenging in the past to get back into the swing of things after a break because a lot of momentum comes from being in the flow of work.
When you take a break, you also break this flow and it’s like having to re-wire a habit.
Plus… the post-holiday blues! Need I say more?
In good news, it doesn’t have to be that hard – there’s some simple tactics and techniques that can support you to ease back into work mode and find your flow again fast.
Schedule a shorter first week back
If you can, schedule in a three or four-day week on the first week you come back from holidays. It’s not always possible, but if you can it does take the pressure off to have some extra days to look forward to when you’re back at work.
Alternatively, choose your work strategically on the first week back so that you’re not diving into the toughest tasks when your brain may still be in holiday mode.
Start with some planning and administration such as creating a filing system for 2021 and reconciling your finances.
Get the admin tasks out of the way so that you’re clutter-free and ready when things ramp up.
Know your ‘why’
Defining your ‘why’ is going to support you in your career or business and motivate you by helping you to:
1) Push through despite challenges
2) Feel more fulfilled in your work, because you will be driven by a purpose higher than yourself
3) Help others understand and connect with the work that you do and know whether what you’re offering is the right solution for them
When you have this level of connection with the work that you do in the world, you’ll want to push on even during the difficult times, or when you’re feeling not-so-motivated!
Write down the answers to the following question:
Why are you doing the work that you do? For example, to support others who need your services; to create financial freedom for my family; to grow and build your skills; to fulfil your potential. Write down at least 3-5 reasons. If you can’t think of any outside of earning an income, perhaps it’s time to consider a career pivot. There are so many different ways to make money using your professional expertise, including a combination of consulting and coaching like I do!
Now, capture a ‘why’ statement that summarises why you’re doing the work that you do in the world so that you can look at it every single day.
You can stick it on a post-it note on your mirror or fridge, keep a note on your desk or enter it into your phone as your screensaver.
Here’s an example of MY why statement:
To support professionals to pivot into careers or businesses they love; to create a freedom-based, creative life with an abundant income that enables me to fulfil my potential and work on the projects I choose, from anywhere.
Now, over to you to write down your why statement. This will help you to get back into the flow of work and connect with your bigger reasons and purpose for getting out of bed every day and taking action.
Set your goals and keep them front of mind
I like to set 3 x core goals around the following areas: business/career, health, relationships, finances, and life. Life goals can include where you live, personal upgrades such as a new car, and things like that.
My business/career goals are determined based on my word for the year, which generally comes to me when I’m reflecting over the break. I don’t overthink it – go with what resonates for you now and you can always tweak it later!
My word for this year is “expansion”. This builds on "freedom" for 2019 when I stepped into my own business full time and "alignment" for 2020 where I created a business and life in alignment with my values and vision. In 2021, my intention is to expand and grow my business and serve more people, as well as expand and grow as a person, expand my creativity, expand my capacity to enjoy life, and more.
Once my word was set, and I’d reflected on what went well and not-so-well in 2020 (check it this video which is at becsands.com/videos for more on this and how you can do it too), I wrote out my goals for 2021 and then broke them down into quarterly goals.
For example, in 2021 my annual goals are to scale through a mix of coaching and consulting; launch and deliver my online program Online Consulting Kickstart three times to incredible professionals; and complete the first draft of my new book.
My Q1 goals are then a breakdown of these annual goals, working backwards.
Now that I have this vision (and I know WHY I want this vision) I’m motivated to take the action to bring it to life.
How to work with me in 2021
I also wanted to share, for those of you who are keen, that in 2021, there are two ways you can work with me.
Firstly, I’m taking on a limited number of 1:1 Career Pivot Coaching clients from February. I work with professional women to find clarity on their next step, whether that's in a career or business they love, and bring this to life. (Book in a free 20-min call at becsands.com to find out if we’re ideal to work together).
Secondly, my new signature 6-week online program, Online Consulting Kickstart, is launching on Feb 8. This is for professionals to:
Launch your online consulting business using your existing skills
Build a business based on the things you enjoy doing that give you purpose so that work actually feels fun
Secure your first paying clients
Align your work with your lifestyle, location and values
Develop the right mindset to help you succeed
Thank you so much for watching. Visit becsands.com and sign up to my free weekly emails for more inspiration and resources on your next career pivot, and if you enjoyed this video I’d love it if you could share it with a friend.
