Ahh…those lazy summer days sipping iced tea on the beach while reading the latest issue of Martha Stewart Living while Daddy builds a sandcastle with the kids. What bliss. What joy. What a shock to the system when you return to normal life!
Who can blame you for having a holiday hangover? The leisurely summer pace and complete lack of structure is exactly the opposite of the frenetic get it done pace of rushing around between school drop-offs, kid activities and business meetings.
How to get over your Back to Business blues…
#1: Jump in – If it’s going to be a shock to your system (and trust me, it will be), get it over with fast! Set the alarm clock, get back to your normal schedule and get down to business!
#2: Rely on your work habits – If sticky notes are your thing, rock them daily. If you are a calendar and task list girl, get them going. Your daily habits will help you get over the fuzzy brain that goes with a severe holiday hangover.
#3: Get organized (and FAST) – Between the return to the early morning routine, afterschool activities and homework patrol, and the steady stream of emails and new projects, you need to get yourself organized and fast!
#4: Stay out of overwhelm – Avoid the temptation to overload and overdo it. Limit yourself to 2 to 3 core tasks every day instead of trying to tackle a to-do list 8 miles long. The trick is that you must FINISH 2 to 3 tasks a day, instead of just starting them.
#5: Avoid over committing – Don’t underestimate how much time gets swallowed up by managing email and telephone correspondence and participating in (belch) meetings! Just because everyone is now back at their desks and wanting to connect with you doesn’t mean you have to fill up your calendar.
#6: Get crystal clear – Ask yourself what you want to accomplish in your business this fall and map how out you plan on getting there. Without a clear goal AND a clear path to get you there, chances are you won’t get anywhere.
#7: Focus on high pay off activities – Turn your filter to high and only undertake high pay off activities, like attracting more prospects and closing more sales. The rest is busywork.
