Back from summer: the ultimate guide to reconnecting with professional success
The sun slowly says goodbye, the days grow shorter and that smell of salt and sun cream fades to give way to the aroma of coffee first thing in the morning. Yes, it has arrived. The dreaded, yet necessary, return from summer. For many, this period is synonymous with a mild state of melancholy, an emotional “jet lag” that jolts us as we swap flip-flops for office shoes. But what if we told you that the return from summer can be the best springboard to launch your projects and your productivity to a new level?
Far from being an end, it’s a beginning. A blank page. A golden opportunity to redefine goals, refine strategies and, why not, find a workspace that really pushes you forward. Join us in this guide where we will demystify the post-holiday blues and give you the key steps to make your return more of a take-off than a crash landing.
What is “back from summer” and why is it so hard for us?
The return from summer is that time of year when we put away our swimsuits, dust off our diaries and face the return to the work routine after weeks (or days) of holidays.
It sounds simple, but it’s a bit of a mental and organisational challenge: we go from a relaxed pace, flexible schedules and impromptu plans… to meetings, pending emails and targets to meet.
It’s not just about getting back to work, but about getting back to work with focus, motivation and without losing the positive energy that summer left us with. And to achieve this, there are steps and habits that can make the transition much more bearable.
The “post-holiday blues” is not an invention to extend the holidays. It is a real adaptation process that our body and mind need to go from “relax” to “action” mode. During the holidays, our schedules become more flexible, our responsibilities are reduced, and our brain gets used to a slower and more pleasant rhythm.
The abrupt return to routine, busy schedules and bursting inboxes can come as a shock. The symptoms are well known: apathy, lack of concentration, tiredness and even irritability. It is a completely normal physiological and psychological response. The key is not to avoid it, but to manage it with intelligence and a bit of strategy.
Think of it as an athlete’s warm-up before the big competition. You can’t go from zero to 100. You need a smooth transition that prepares your professional “muscles” for high performance. And that’s exactly what this guide proposes: to turn the return of summer into your best pre-season.
The steps to follow for a successful return from summer
Getting back to work doesn’t have to be a drama. With a little planning and the right attitude, you can make this period a smooth and stimulating transition. Here is a detailed plan of action:
Step 1: Progressive landing – don’t come back on Sunday night.
It’s the rookie mistake. Rushing to the last second of your holiday and landing home at 11pm on Sunday night is the perfect recipe for disaster. On Monday you’ll feel disoriented, with suitcases to unpack and no time to reset your mind.
Tip: Try to return home at least a day or two before your return. Use that time for practical tasks such as unpacking, shopping and organising your work clothes. But above all, use it to acclimatise mentally. Take a walk around your neighbourhood, get back to your usual sleep schedule and simply enjoy the calm before the “storm”.
Step 2: Plan your first week like a strategist.
Don’t come to the office on the first day and improvise. An inbox with hundreds of emails and no defined priority is overwhelming. Planning is the key.
Tip: Spend the first hour of your first day organising, not executing.
- Scan your email: Don’t try to answer everything. Prioritise: urgent, important but not urgent, and to read later.
- Make a realistic to-do list: Write down the 3-5 most important tasks to complete that week. No more. The goal is to achieve small victories that motivate you.
- Schedule key meetings: Meet with your team to catch up. A 15-minute chat can save you hours of reading endless email chains.
Step 3: The power of an inspiring workspace
The environment in which you work has a direct impact on your mood and productivity. A cluttered, dark or dysfunctional office can accentuate post-holiday sluggishness. The return from summer is the perfect time to reassess whether your current workspace is helping or holding you back.
This is where professionals, corporate executives, find a differential value. They don’t want to waste time managing an office; they need a premium, functional and well-located space that allows them to focus on their business from minute one. In the same way that a multinational company cannot afford to start from scratch with furniture and infrastructure.
The solution is Ibercenter: imagine arriving on your first day to an impeccable office, with high-speed internet up and running, a freshly brewed coffee waiting for you and a meeting room ready to receive that important client. At Ibercenter, we understand that your time is your most valuable asset. That’s why our centres in Azca, Gran Vía and Velázquez offer flexible, all-inclusive workspaces. We take care of the logistics so that you take care of growing your business. It’s the smartest way to ensure that your return from summer is productive right from the start, in a professional environment that reflects the prestige of your company.
Step 4: Reconnect with the human factor (and networking)
Work is not just about tasks and goals; it’s also about people. One of the best parts of coming back is reconnecting with colleagues.
Tip: Make time to socialise. Organise a team breakfast to share summer anecdotes. Ask your colleagues about their holidays. These small human interactions will help you reconnect with the purpose of your work and strengthen team bonds. For an entrepreneur, this is essential. She looks for a vibrant ecosystem where collaborations emerge. A business centre like Ibercenter in Gran Vía is perfect, as it fosters networking and the creation of a community between professionals from different sectors.
Step 5: Keep the healthy habits of summer alive
On holidays we tend to walk more, eat more relaxed and sleep better, most of the time. Why give up those habits? Try to integrate them into your new routine.
Here’s a tip:
- Get moving: take advantage of your lunch break to go for a walk. If you use public transport, get off one stop earlier.
- Eat well: plan your meals to avoid resorting to quick and unhealthy options. A catering or coffee break service, such as the ones we offer at Ibercenter for meetings and training sessions, can be a great ally.
- Respect your free time: don’t stay late at the office the first few days. Set a time to leave and stick to it.
Step 6: Be positive and manage your expectations
Don’t expect to perform at 120% from day one. It’s counterproductive and will only lead to frustration. Be kind to yourself.
Tip: Celebrate small achievements – did you get your inbox up to date? Great, did you close an important meeting? Fantastic! Focus on progress, not perfection. A positive mindset is your best tool for coping with the return from summer.
Step 7: Plan your next getaway (yes, you read that right).
Having a new exciting goal on the horizon is the best antidote to the post-holiday blues. It doesn’t have to be a month-long trip to an exotic location.
Tip: plan a weekend getaway, a visit to a friend in another city or even a day trip to the mountains. Having something to look forward to breaks up the monotony of routine and gives you an extra dose of motivation.
Ibercenter: your strategic ally for a frictionless return from summer
The transition back to work can be especially complex for SMEs, entrepreneurs and multinationals that need agility and efficiency. Running a traditional office involves a workload and an initial investment that can slow down the momentum gained after the break.
The return from summer calls for smart solutions. For a company in full expansion that needs to establish a representative headquarters in the financial heart of Madrid, such as Azca, in the nerve centre such as Gran Vía, or in the prestigious Salamanca neighbourhood with our Velázquez centre, setting up an office from scratch is an obstacle. They need a plug and play solution.
Ibercenter offers that solution. Our private offices and meeting rooms are fully equipped with the latest technology, designer furniture and all services included. This allows companies to:
- Eliminate initial investment: No furniture, fibre optic installation or refurbishment costs.
- Total flexibility: Contracts that adapt to the growth of the company, allowing the space to be scaled according to needs.
- Focus on the business: We take care of administrative support, call reception and space management so that our clients can focus 100% on their core business.
- Privacy and Professionalism: A high-level corporate environment, perfect for executive meetings and to guarantee the confidentiality that consulting or finance companies require.
You’ll see how much easier it is to come back from the summer, especially when you know you have a professional, flexible and stimulating workspace waiting for you.
Conclusion: turn the return from summer into your biggest opportunity
The return from summer is much more than the end of the holidays. It is a ritual of renewal. It’s the perfect opportunity to reset sails, set a new course and attack the new season with renewed energy and clarity.
By following these steps, you will not only survive the post-holiday blues, you will turn it into a competitive advantage. Plan your return, optimise your work environment, reconnect with your team and, above all, keep a positive attitude.
This year don’t let the routine get to you. Lead the way back from summer and make it the start of your most successful career.
