The holidays are behind us now, and it’s time to get back into the work/school/real life routine.

Boo.  Hoo.

My family had such a great time together during our time off that I was actually disappointed to see everyone head back to school and work.  The peace and order of our regular routine just doesn’t hold a candle to the relaxation and endless giggles of the holiday break.  (My mom was shocked to hear me say that, but honest to God, I mean it.)

Whether you had a Rockwellian family vacation or a frazzled couple of three-day weekends, getting back to work after the chaos of the holiday season is… interesting.  Challenging, even.  Many of us have spent weeks racing towards an end of the year finish line or stuck in a “until after the holidays” holding pattern.  And now, here we are.  A new year, a new month, an old familiar routine waiting for us to get moving.

How can you kick yourself back into gear?

(Interesting side note: after writing that sentence, I accidentally spent 45 minutes reading blogs that had absolutely nothing to do with gears or moving or productivity.  So there’s that.)

Here are a few ideas for getting back to work that I’m hoping to implement myself over the next few days:

1. Go to bed early.

I’m sure that sounds lame, but if it works for kids it just might work for us, too.  Getting plenty of sleep makes your mind more alert and focused.  True story.

2. Drink more water.

I would suggest that you start eating better after the holiday gluttony fest, but even that might require more mental focus than you have right now.  Instead, focus on drinking lots of water during the day.  That will actually help you make the switch back to a healthier diet and give you more energy for your work day.

3. Go for a walk.

Again, I would suggest that you start working out 30 minutes a day, but aside from those perky few who have been back in the gym since January 1st, most people might find it difficult to jump into a full fitness routine right now.  Try just going for a short walk over your lunch break.  It will get you moving, literally, and should help you focus better for the afternoon.

4. Set mini goals.

I’m not talking about large scale resolutions here.  Set daily goals for what you absolutely must get done before calling it quits.  Make a list and check off each item as you go.  I find this is a great tool for getting me out of vacation mode.

How are you getting back to work in 2010?

Photo by Indydina on Flickr.