At some point in the year we will invariably experience a slump in our usual motivation to perform our jobs or study. This is especially so after returning from holidays. With exciting memories of the weeks past filling our mind, it can be difficult to refocus our attention towards our work or study. Every day tasks seem mundane and pale in comparison to the time we spent away. New people, places and experiences, or even just the opportunity to have total control over how we spend our waking hours can fill our mind with grand ideas, exciting plans and a freshly adjusted sunny disposition and zest for life.


Photo by scui3asteveo.
The problem with this is that our inspired thoughts seem to dissipate with our return to our usual daily grind. One way to combat the back to work and study blues is to choose to own these inspired thoughts wholly and keep them in mind even after the holidays have come to an end. Identifying the way time off makes you feel and considering other ways to replicate or continue those feelings can assist greatly in bringing more positivity and motivation into your usual routine.

Here are a few ideas on how to recapture the holiday glee:

Plan your next holiday
Whether it's a European escape, a few days hiking in the nearby national park or a weekend spa escape, pencil it into your diary and give yourself something to look forward to. Planning an exciting event for each weekend is also great for maintaining motivation throughout the week - it need not be grand, but a trip to the markets, a night out with your mates, a show at the theatre, a trip to the beach, a lunch with girlfriends or any other activity that might be on offer in your town.

Get Organised
Use your day planner to make to-do lists and tick off each item as you go. Make a trip to your local stationary store to get filing trays, folders, post-it notes, notepads, pens - take control of your work or study load and equip yourself for success.

Use Words to Create an Inspiration Board
Clip magazines and newspapers with words that you identify with being on a break from your routine and brainstorm ideas on how to make these feelings happen regularly. For example, if holidays make you feel grateful, you could consider making a list of all the things that you are grateful for each morning. If your break makes you feel refreshed, consider mixing up your routine to replicate the feeling, say have freshly squeezed OJ with your breakfast or go for a brisk walk each morning. Keep the ideas you come up with close by, pinned up on your wall or in your work cubicle.

Health Blitz
This doesn't necessarily mean you must give up your mid-morning brownie, but consider smaller healthy changes such as drawing up an exercise schedule and moving towards more balanced meals. Research new activities to get into this year. Are there hula-hooping groups or a roller rink nearby? Exercising can boost your energy and help you pull yourself out of a rut. Fresh foods have a similar positive effect on your body. Check out the local farmers market at the weekend and pick up some organic vegetables and look online for a new way to use them. Teach yourself a few simple new weeknight meal ideas.

Attend Industry Events
Whether for the industry you are currently working in or that which you are studying to enter, attending industry events can be valuable for keeping abreast of industry developments, networking and getting excited about the intricacies of your industry. Use LinkedIn, newspaper community columns or local industry websites to find events, presentations or conferences happening near you.


What do you do to kick the work or study blues?