The holidays may be all over, but that doesn’t mean that all enjoyment ends on the last day of your leave. Take the fun and inspiration that you had and let it give you a boost. You may be pleasantly surprised at what a whole new year has in store for you.

Is it normal to dread going back to school, work, campus, and life in general?

The pressure to put on a happy face all the time is real. But you also owe it to yourself to embrace your vulnerable moments too. Not everybody feels refreshed and ready to take on the new working year on day one back at the office. You are definitely not alone!

Before the year begins, let’s look at some ways to help you ease back to life smoothly.

How do I start the work year off feeling strong?

The fact that you are asking yourself this is a healthy sign. It shows courage and initiative. It’s all about how to boost your confidence with actionable tips. Strap in and get ready; it’s time to get into the driver’s seat of your life because, as you may have guessed, planning is everything. More life, more possible!

Set yourself up for success

1. Give your workspace a good makeover

Whether you work from home or in an office, one thing we can all agree on is that a welcoming workspace can make all the difference in our approach. While you may not need to go all Marie Kondo on things, you can introduce some simple, yet inspiring elements. Here are some to consider:

2. Lock in with some good tunes

Besides a boost of feel-good endorphins, did you know that music enhances productivity by activating reward centres in your brain? This can help put you into a flow state, a brilliant way to power through tasks and generate ideas easily. Use this strategically, based on your own concentration levels and commitments. Also, people in the office may have different preferences when it comes to hearing music in their surroundings, so plug in a headset if you are listening to music while you work.

3. Plan some variety in your work week

Ironically, how you feel about getting back to work can be influenced by the activities that you line up to keep you balanced after hours. Let’s explain. Perhaps you see the work week as an endless stretch (if you are a parent, the week may be broken up by attending to the needs of little ones). Break the monotony by scheduling fun activities or experiences you’ll enjoy, like:

• A midweek meet-up with a friend.
• Popping into the gym two or three times in the week.
• A game night with family.
• Listening to a podcast.
• A movie to round off your Friday night.
• Work from a different location like a coffee shop

4. Take charge of the tech

Marshal your digital troops for the year ahead by taking a moment to evaluate your digital life. Ask yourself: “What is it about my digital life that needs to change?”

Make a list of all the areas that need streamlining and strengthening.

To streamline:

• Delete apps you no longer use.
• Keep track of your digital files, archive what’s done, and do a clean-up of what’s not in use.
• Back up your data.
• Clean up your socials.

To strengthen:

If your savings are still looking healthy at the beginning of the year, take stock of your data, internet plan or devices that may need an upgrade. Now might be the ideal time to set yourself up for success with a new mobile phone or laptop to give your work or side hustle that boost it needs.

Look at the year ahead as a blank canvas

Reflect on your:

Professional goals (Career, education, networking, training)

Personal goals (Mind, body, soul/wellness/spiritual)

Relaxation goals

“Success is loving life and daring to live it.”

― Maya Angelou

Make 2025, your best year yet!