2021 moves.

If you’re not planning to get back to the office until the 4th January, you might get that familiar niggling feeling during Twixmas (the period between Christmas and New Years where all the days mould into one)

I usually start to think about getting ready for the first day back in the office during this time. It’s something I’ve always tried to fight, but now I’ve realised that with a bit of gentle planning I can make myself feel better and get set up for an easy first week.

Here are a few things I keep in my back pocket to help keep that niggling feeling at bay, a bit of relaxed planning that can be done as you watch your next Netflix series and finish off the cheese board.

1: Clear Your Inbox.

Let’s not kid ourselves, we all had the intention of leaving the office with a clear inbox, but it doesn’t always happen that way, and especially this year with all the last minute school closures etc, I know I was in a hurry to switch off.

Aim to only have emails in your main inbox section where an action is required.

Start by creating subfolders for different projects, waiting on actions from others, or archive. If you work with multiple clients then start by creating a subfolder for each. Begin sifting through your emails slowly and resist the urge to reply to anything- this task is all about you.

2: Update your email signature and auto responder.

Are things changing from January? Are you shifting your working hours once the kids go back to school? Or to accommodate the new working from home restrictions?

Think about the message you’d like to get across from January, and add it to your email signature and out of office messages.

3: Spend 30 minutes looking at your calendar for the month

Pencilling in some reflection and planning time each week. Knowing that you have planning time pencilled in can really help to counteract overwhelm and stress.

4: Carve out potential catch-up sessions for clients.

January can be a busy month for a lot of reasons and knowing that you have scheduled dates to offer your clients when you get back to business, will stop you feeling overwhelmed by a barrage of 'To Dos' and emails hitting your Inbox. Clear communication from the offset is your friend!

Lets get back to those ever popular horizontal tasks

5: Sort Through Pictures on Your Phone.

Spend some time scrolling through your photos and videos, and deleting duplicates or irrelevant files, I can’t tell you how many videos I have from IG stories that I’ve not used that are now taking up valuable space! This is also a fab exercise to help you find fresh content for your social media posts. Imagine the unused images just sat there ready and waiting for your SM calender.

It’s highly likely if you’ve not done it before this task will take you a while, if you can get through the first cleanse then doing this task monthly or bi monthly will keep things tidy and save you from spending extra money on your storage.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

6: Close/ Delete message groups.

It's time to archive or delete all of those old conversations that no longer add any value to your life. If you stop at an old chat that you don't quite want to close, then maybe say hello instead!

7: Get updated.

Have you been putting off that big laptop or phone update? Now’s the time! 

Check your folders, transfer anything you want to save to your cloud or filing system. Delete your downloads/desktop contents, clear your bin and run the updates. 

Super fresh! 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss how to start your January off in the best way you can email me at stacey@alltheadmin.co.uk