Ideally, we would all hibernate for the entire month of January. We’ll be cozying up on the couch, eating stew and wearing extra comfy socks. But our bank balances have other ideas and unfortunately so do our bosses.
Don’t feel lazy thinking about going back to the 9-to-5 after the festive break, or tackling your inbox, especially when it’s so cold, dark and dreary. But even though it’s a grim month and your day job can’t be skipped, you can find some inspiration to get you through the January work blues.
This CEOs And the company’s founder explains how to go about it…
1. Build momentum.
Rediscovering a career groove after the holidays can feel like the right motto, so try to be your own cheerleader and acknowledge all the good things you manage to accomplish.
“January is a great time to focus on small wins. Break big goals into manageable steps and celebrate each milestone,” says Aidan Rushby, founder and CEO of fintech firm Carmola.
“It builds momentum and keeps spirits high during the post-holiday blues. Progress, no matter how small, is great motivation for the year ahead. Momentum is everything in January. See what you did last month. Find ways to achieve and keep that rhythm going. A small step taken now keeps your progress going and makes the new year feel less stressful.
2. Feel a sense of accomplishment.
Getting a handle on your to-do list early, so it’s not overwhelming and overwhelming, will set you up for regular bursts of feeling like you’ve actually gotten something done.
“Motivation for me has to do with a sense of accomplishment. But I have two kids and two businesses, so no two days are ever the same,” says Jasmine Wicks-Stephens, leading agency and CEO of Faace skincare. She says
“I always have a long to-do list, with lots of different sections, but each day, I take the smaller tasks for that list and break them down into bite-sized pieces that make up the time. I can reach when I have to do them, choosing the things that are really a priority for the day. That way, by the end of the workday, I’m usually able to tick everything off that little list I will be done and have a sense of accomplishment because everything is complete done, rather than be confused by the fact that there is still more to be done!”
3. Create an ‘ideas parking lot’
Taking a break over Christmas will have given your mind the space and rest it needs to come up with lots of ideas. Feeling nervous and motivated is great, but don’t let it completely derail your focus.
“I often have a lot of ideas floating around in my head or see things that spark ideas, and it distracts me from work, so now I have an ‘ideas parking lot,’ basically an on Line project management board where I quickly throw out all the ideas I think of and what led to them,” says Michelle Noel, founder and CEO. London Branding and design agency Studio Noel.
“It allows me to capture the concept quickly and remember it. Then I check the board every quarter and figure out what else I need to explore. It gives me something new and shiny. It allows me to not get distracted and remember an idea that might be relevant. Instead, it enables me to focus on what needs to be done every three months Then I check the ideas parking lot and guess what What will help me achieve my goals and objectives? If they are compatible with any, I consider them further.
4. Make time for ‘deep work’ sessions.
“January is the time to use goal setting to your advantage, so you can hit the ground running and avoid the beach,” says Barnaby Lashbrook, CEO of virtual assistant platform Time Etc.
Pick a ‘big goal’ for the month. Then, block off a deep work session each day in your calendar, and set a task that will move you closer to that big January goal. Cut out all distractions as you go into those deep work sessions.
“Switch on. Turn off your phone and put it out of reach, pause desktop notifications and set a timer – a little extra pressure from a countdown clock can keep you focused. Some people find that listening to soundscapes or music helps them find that euphoric ‘flow state’, but you’ll need to experiment to see which setup works best for you. If you’re struggling to focus, it could be that the task you’ve set out to do is overwhelming, so break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks.
5. Work with your health.
Fresh air, exercise and the endorphins that come with it can also help you focus and stay motivated.
Ruth Handcock, CEO at Octopus Money, suggests “combining your New Year’s health goals with work and an exercise schedule.
“I actually hear better when I’m running and feel refreshed for the next meeting!”