29 January 2025
In general, everybody’s going back to work during this time of year. Right now, we’re looking at how we support each other to get back into that work mode. There’s no judgement if you feel overwhelmed with all the “it’s a 2025 problem” work you have on your desk right now!
Feeling overwhelmed about starting a new year, especially when you’re running a business or managing a team, is 100% normal. There’s the pressure of looking back at the year that was, and trying to get better results in the new one. Also, we don’t discount the weight of unfinished tasks, unresolved challenges, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. This can all feel particularly heavy in the very first month of the year.
You might be wearing multiple hats if you’re a business owner, or handling many responsibilities if you’re a manager. While the new year feels like a fresh start, it also brings the pressure of everything we mentioned above–and this pressure is multiplied by the amount of responsibilities you carry.
If you’re feeling this way, chances are that your team members are feeling the same. While the level of responsibility is different, they still likely have the same post-holiday worries and anxieties that you have.
The first step in easing the transition back to work? Acknowledge these feelings! It’s human to feel this way–and it’s important that you let your team members know it too. It sounds simple, but it makes a huge difference. Letting your team know that you understand what they’re feeling as they face the coming year is a good way of showing that you support them.
We’ve said it a few times in the last month of the year, and now we have to face what we’ve put off!
First of all, take a deep breath (physically and mentally). We’ve already established that it’s normal to feel overwhelmed or even fearful of what work in the new year. The next step is looking these tasks in the face.
They may have piled up, but our practical advice is to create a list of priorities and focus on the most important tasks first. We’re fans of utilising simple tools, like to-do lists, and then ticking these tasks off as they’re completed.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed at the sight of the bigger tasks, but we’ve found that re-establishing a routine and taking small steps to accomplish bigger tasks can be effective.
Small steps like reviewing your calendar and clearing out your inbox at the start of the year can help you fall back into your familiar routine. Setting clear yet realistic goals also help lessen the mental load of the impending tasks and goals for the year ahead.
Consider also having a “back to work” talk or even a short meeting with your team to talk through their tasks and what they can do in the first few days to ease back.
It can be easy to forget to take a break in the midst of the rush to get everything you want done as soon as possible, but it can also have the opposite effect of increasing stress and decreasing productivity.
Again, this might seem common sense, but it’s important to take breaks. Don’t forget to remind your team to take their breaks as well. In our workplace, we encourage our team to step outside and take a walk during their break if it’s possible, as we’ve seen it definitely helps them recharge! Don’t underestimate the power of short breaks–we’ve seen firsthand how they promote productivity for our own team.
It can feel stressful, but getting back to business after the holiday buzz has ended doesn’t have to be a headache. These are the practical tips we have for getting back on track and setting yourself up for success in the new year.
Does your ‘2025 tasks’ list have any action items that are HR-related? Whether it’s updating your policies, reviewing remuneration, or ensuring you’re caught up on legislation, we’ve got you covered. We can help you ease back into business with tailored HR solutions that will set you up for success this year. Contact our team if you need help with your HR this year.
