For many people summer vacation is about to end. It may be difficult to get used to the idea of returning to a regular work schedule. E-mails, meetings, and busy days contrast strongly with the relaxed atmosphere of holidays. Fortunately, you can do several things to maintain the energy that you have built up during your vacation so it can positively affect your motivation at work and job performance.

Here are five tips on what to do so that your transition from holiday to work will be as smooth as possible:

It’s a good idea to give yourself a soft start with a shorter work week when you first return. Make your first working day fall on a Wednesday or Thursday. This makes the transition from holiday to work easier since you won’t start with a full work week right from the beginning. If you have to start on a Monday, then try to end your work days a bit earlier than normal.

It may seem reasonable to begin with a lot of meetings right after returning from work, but it may be advantageous to allocate the first few days to catching up on your own tasks. If there were tasks that you did not finish before going on vacation, it’s a good idea to get those finished right at the start.

Use the first day after your holiday to give yourself an overview. It’s natural to be a bit behind after a long vacation but give yourself a bit of time to prioritize before throwing yourself into work without a good overview or plan. Check your inbox. Prioritize tasks into two categories, “CAN” and “MUST” (see more here). Ask yourself which tasks should be done as soon as possible and which can wait for later.

Many people spend time during the holidays reflecting on their work, tasks and routines. Perhaps new ideas will arise during that time, or you become aware of areas at work that can be improved. It may be a good idea to start changing work routines and talking to your colleagues about things you think can be done more efficiently when you get back to work.

The fact is, we determine 40% of our mood ourselves. If we are positive and happy, it has a significant impact on our overall well-being. If you smile and maintain a good mood when you get into work, you’ll start your work on a positive note. This will help you keep your holiday energy significantly longer, and it just might help extend the holiday cheer for the rest of your team. 😉