Successfully Returning to Work After Vacation

Many of us prepare for the end of our summer holidays with the desire to start off on the right foot. To do this, we make new resolutions that are often so numerous and ambitious that we abandon them as soon as we are caught up in our daily lives and its frantic pace. So you will find in this editorial, some advice that should allow you to remain serene and succeed in your return to work. Good luck to you!

1. I anticipate my return
You have certainly organized your backup during your vacation, but whether or not you have someone replacing you, the best way to return smoothly is to anticipate your return. How to anticipate your return from vacation? For this, before your departure on vacation, you will have made a list of important files and things to do upon your return. For those who did not make this list before leaving, it is not too late. This action has the advantage not only of ""clearing your head"" but also of securing you because by writing it down, you are less likely to forget something and you will be able to get back into the swing of things more easily.

2. I sort my activities and remotivate my team.
In order not to be overwhelmed by urgent requests and solicited from all sides, we invite you to establish what we will call a ""buffer zone"", that is to say a slot of a few hours to initiate a meeting with your team, schedule urgent meetings and straighten things out. You can use this ""buffer zone"" to remotivate the teams by setting short-term goals. This will allow the employee to gradually get back into the swing of things. For example, ask your sales team to update their customer database first and then schedule appointments later. Finally, during this slot you can also gather new ideas that you had during your vacation and sort through your activities. For example, take the reports you have written that no one reads, and try to find a new way of communicating so that information is transmitted more effectively.

3. I clear my head by exercising
Returning to work is often synonymous with stress. We can't say it enough, but refocusing by exercising is the most appropriate remedy. For sports enthusiasts on vacation, it's a way to extend your vacation a little and put things into perspective. For the less sporty, it remains a good way to take care of yourself. The most important thing is to choose an activity that you really enjoy, whether it's golf, surfing, bikram yoga, jogging, martial arts, tennis, etc. there is only one watchword: have fun!! Also, in order not to be pressed for time (a meeting that drags on, children to pick up from school, etc.) and to really devote yourself to it, we recommend that you reserve a slot early in the morning or between noon and two, at least once a week.

4. I eat better
Eating well is also a way to better manage your stress and therefore reduce the anxiety associated with returning to work. To begin with, you must think about eating a balanced diet. Forget finger food (sandwiches, pizzas, etc.) and opt for balanced meals that will allow you to maintain your figure and fitness. In addition, you must not make the mistake of eating in front of your computer. Not only will your workstation remain clean (no crumbs on the keyboard or grease marks on the screen), but you will also have a real break during the day. It may even be the time to have an informal chat with your colleagues, and on this occasion to strengthen ties and sometimes even solve some problems.

5. I stay connected with ExeKutive.biz
One last piece of advice, stay connected with the community. We have set up a LinkedIn page where we regularly inform you about executive appointments but also about companies that are recruiting. You will thus be able to stay informed about what is happening in your sector of activity and on the job market in general.

Also take advantage of the back-to-work period to reconnect with your network, so don't hesitate to sponsor people in your entourage who are on the lookout for jobs. Regularly consult the ExeKutive portal to view career opportunities but also business opportunities (partner search, company buying/selling, etc.)

In short, stay connected with the ExeKutive team via our Consultant at your disposal to answer your questions about your visibility with recruiters, about companies that are posting job ads, and also about our career management support. Finally, we are interested in your opinion, so you can suggest news topics that you would like to see covered, or ask us questions via the address members@exekutive.biz. Happy back to work!

Philippe Montant CEO of ReKrute