I held my breath as I opened my inbox. Despite putting up an away message, I knew I had sent out a series of email blasts before Christmas Eve, so I was expecting a sea of unanswered requests from parents, volunteers, and everyone else in the parish. Fortunately, when my email loaded, the damage was minimal. I let out a sigh of relief and began to knock off the dust from taking some time away.
Regardless of whether you are coming off a vacation or gearing up for a new year, it’s easy to feel anxious about getting back into your rhythm. Whether this is your first day back from the Christmas holiday or you’ve been checking your email all along, starting the new year right is important. While I haven’t been perfect every year, here’s what has helped me:
DON'T OVERBOOK YOUR SCHEDULE
Having margin during the first day or two back is essential for peace of mind. I try not to schedule any formal meetings or appointments (both professionally and personally) on my first day back in the office. I know there will be plenty of unplanned situations and forgotten tasks that need attention.
While avoiding an overbooked schedule, make sure you set firm start and stop times for your day. That way, the inevitable randomness won’t push you to the point where you’re wondering, “When’s the next break?”
MAKE TIME TO CHECK IN
I like to check in with key team members and coworkers, asking about their holidays, what they did, and what they’re working on now. It’s a great way to show you’re ready to collaborate and available to support them.
I also prioritize writing mass communications to the families in my parish. It’s a good time to remind them of upcoming events and let them know I’m available to answer questions. Don’t hesitate to reshare schedules, protocols, and other reminders. Everyone is getting back into their rhythm, so a little repetition helps.
REVISIT YOUR PRIORITIES
Actually, this is the first thing I like to do. I review the next few months and then focus on the upcoming week to identify tasks and opportunities that need to be prioritized. Revisiting priorities gives me a chance to reflect on what I accomplished last month and determine how to adjust for the road ahead.
While you can do this on any old document, my favorite tool is the Monk Manual (check it out HERE). They offer a variety of productivity tools, but their 90-day planner helps me wrap my head around all the chaos and stay grounded.
If starting a new season or returning from a break feels overwhelming, that’s okay. Transitions are challenging, so give yourself some margin, focus on checking in with others, and revisit your priorities. Keeping it simple allows you to stay focused on what matters most.
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