Strategies for Managing Workload After Vacation

Returning from a vacation can be challenging, especially when you find yourself buried under a mountain of work. Effective time management is key to managing your workload and setting yourself up for success. With over two years of experience working at a skeleton crew, I have developed several strategies to ease the transition back to work.

Preparing Beforehand: Mark Your Calendar

One of the most important steps is to prepare well in advance. Begin by marking your days off on a work calendar, ideally for the entire upcoming year. Label your leave as 'not going to be here.' After returning, allocate at least half a day for catching up. Use this time to go through emails, Slack messages, and any other communication channels. The goal is to unburden yourself of the backlog before diving into new tasks.

Another useful tactic is to share your travel plans a month in advance. Add a reminder in your email signature that you will be out during that week, and make sure it stands out. Use bold and red font to ensure it is not missed. Clearly communicate to your team that you will not be available during your time off, emphasizing the need to schedule around your absence.

Breaking Tasks into Manageable Chunks

A common phrase used is 'how do you eat an elephant'—one bite at a time. My go-to strategy is to prioritize quick tasks. Finishing these gives a sense of accomplishment and clears the slate. Avoid the temptation to think you can handle a week's worth of work in a single day. Instead, focus on making steady progress.

Another effective practice is to ensure that you return phone calls and emails promptly. This helps to reduce the accumulation of duplicates and ensures you stay engaged. Aim to handle these communications by the end of the morning as you return from your vacation.

Organizing and Prioritizing Tasks

Effective organization and prioritization are crucial for managing your workload. Begin by listing everything you need to do and categorize it into three lists: Focus tasks, which need to be done right away; Short-term tasks to be addressed sooner rather than later; and Long-term tasks that can wait until the other lists are complete. The act of sorting tasks in this manner provides an overview of your workload without immediately getting bogged down in less important tasks.

Using an app that can help with time management is highly beneficial. These tools often include features like time clocks, task planning, workflow management, and progress tracking. They can help you stay focused and organized, making it easier to tackle your tasks in a structured manner.

Finally, remember to shift your mindset. Returning from a vacation can be overwhelming, but having a clear plan and organized tasks can help you manage the workload effectively. Embrace the challenge and use it as an opportunity to improve your skills and efficiency.