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[britmom]

I was back to work yesterday after a two week break. It was the first proper break from work for 5 years (ie I barely thought about work; no email checking etc.). I slept for a large part of the time. 

Any suggestions on how to get back in to the swing of things and adjust back to work? I think it's been so long since I had a break that my brain has checked out.

To add:
- I'm just starting a sabbatical so I don't have any upcoming classes to prepare for/push me in to action. (The main job in front of me right now is to finish.that.article.)
- Coffee's banned at the moment due to a medical condition.
- It's blowing a 75mph gale, with driving rain, so I'm disinclined to try a brisk walk.
- I've tried loud, invigorating music.
- I've tried doing the easy stuff first, but my brain is so blank I haven't been able to focus on reading. That's about as easy as it gets right now.
- I don't want to go in to my office as a) I will have to walk to get the bus in this weather, b) there's major building work going on and it's pretty much impossible to concentrate on anything, c) it will be freezing there.

I've considered banging my head against a wall, but we've just decorated....

I can't be the only one staring at the computer screen with a completely blank mind (can I?). I just want to curl up in bed and have another lovely nap... Please, wise forumites, provide a kick up the arse!

[eigen]

I find if I'm having an especially hard time working, I use some of the incremental time methods- work for 20 minutes, break for 10, repeat. If you're still having trouble, you can shorten it to 15/10 or 10/5 periods as well.

Sometimes it's easier to do *something* with a small window of productivity.

And sometimes I just sit and stare at a blank document for 20 minutes.

But it might be worth a try.

[britmom]

Thanks, eigen, I'll keep that in mind.

In thinking about this some more, I think I'm going through a recurrence of depression. That would explain my lack of motivation, inability to focus, tiredness etc. That doesn't necessarily change things that much. Getting nothing done only makes me feel even worse so your 10 minutes on 10 minutes off might at least let me feel like I've done something.

[eigen]

That's how it usually works for me.

If I sit in front of the screen for a couple of hours kind-of working, I end up feeling worse and worse about it.

If I try for a bit, and then take a break and do something else and come back to it, I don't feel so much like I'm completely unable to make process.

[venerable_bede]

I second this idea. I like the Pomodoro technique myself (which I learned about from someone on these fora, though I can't remember who), but that's just a specific form of the short-time-working, take-a-break model.

Writing an article, grading student work, etc., is too monumental a notion for me. Working for 25 minutes, though, is eminently do-able. And once you've done one pomodoro, it's easy to do another. And before you know it, you've worked for a couple of hours straight. Success begets success.

[academic_cog]

Can you set up some sort of "ritual writing space"? The process of cleaning off a space, laying out the pens, nice stack of paper, printing off the most recent copy of all the material, stacking up some books right there, and setting out a nice tall glass of water (or non-caffeinated tea) can help you get in the right mindset, especially if you are thinking about your article and thinking productive thoughts. Setting it all up can be soothing, too.

I usually do this while drinking coffee and give myself permission to just stare at various places in my article/notes/whatever for the first few minutes while the coffee is taking effect. Then I have an idea and am actually ready to write something. I don't know if this works without coffee though.

[britmom]

I think you're right about getting in to the right mindset. Coffee is usually my friend. I might have to try half a cup tomorrow.

[f_talbot]

This idea might sound silly, but can you find a somewhat project-related podcast by someone really smart to listen to carefully? It might be a way to get your brain going without the necessity to focus on the text in front of you.

[wanna_writemore]

It can be helpful for me to gather what I need to do the next thing.  So, if you're going to work on that article next, make sure your printout of it is right there, or open it on the computer.  Is your workspace relatively clear so you can focus?  If you're not drinking coffee, does tea or hot water with lemon work?  I need the warm mug in my hand to look at what I've got and think about the writing more than I actually need to drink its contents.

[llanfair]

Chime on the getting-ready.  The SO calls this "nesting", and it can mean anything from reorganising files to tidying my office to making piles of books related to the work I'll be doing.  It's all part of getting geared up.

I also have a "writing shirt" - actually, several of them.  That's part of my getting-ready, too.

[burnie]

If a brisk walk usually helps you get your mind going, try something active-but-not-sweat-inducing that gets you moving.  I have some stretches I like to do, or if I need to feel like I've accomplished something I'll vacuum a room to wake up and then the writing becomes a treat from housework.  Or, using the work-break method I'll throw in a load of laundry.  When the washer stops I'll move the laundry, start a new load and give myself 20 minutes to make a hot beverage and read a website and then go back to work.  When the dryer buzzes, I'll fold clothes, move over the other load have lunch and go back to work.  Dryer buzzes I'll put away laundry, fold the next load and go back to work.  If you do it right you can knock out enough writing / grading and laundry to treat yourself to a nap before dinnertime. 

I really love my job sometimes.

Oh, and when I run out of laundry I just set an alarm.  The point is if I don't have the timer of some sort I find it easy to procrastinate and / or lose track of time.

[britmom]

They're really helpful suggestions. I like the idea of 'nesting'. 

f-talbort - your suggestion reminded me that I have a bunch of recorded interviews to listen to, thanks.

I did eventually manage to get some inter-library loans requested yesterday, so it wasn't a complete waste. With the wind down to 40mph, I've ventured out to a coffee house to see if a change of scenery helps. (I've finally given in to having a coffee. Hopefully one will be OK.)

I think I was guilty of catastrophizing yesterday. (Oh no! I can't work today; that's my sabbatical wasted!) Slow and steady...

[bioteacher]

For me, in addition to the nesting, I just plan on being worthless and panic-stricken for the first few days. I try hard to prep at the end of one term for the start of the next to make the return a bit easier.

I find that after a few days of struggling, I get back into the mental groove and seem to have fewer mental cobwebs.

Caffeine is a must. Small rewards for small progress are great. And loading my to-do list with every single thing I have to remember give me some sense that I am making progress as I cross even trivial things off.

[pgher]

If coffee is forbidden because of caffeine, you might find that a cup of decaf serves a similar purpose.  For me, it's not always about the caffeine, but rather the ritual or habit that surrounds the coffee.  (Of course, I drink caffeine-free Diet Coke and non-alcoholic beer, too, so maybe you can't judge by me.)

[compdoc]

Can you set up some sort of "ritual writing space"? The process of cleaning off a space, laying out the pens, nice stack of paper, printing off the most recent copy of all the material, stacking up some books right there, and setting out a nice tall glass of water (or non-caffeinated tea) can help you get in the right mindset, especially if you are thinking about your article and thinking productive thoughts. Setting it all up can be soothing, too.

I love this idea. I know it has helped me in the past. --It also probably helps explain my inability to get moving, as that space is in New Tt town now and I am in Old City.

If you can't have coffee, and since it is winter, you could experiment with hot tea. Make that part of the ritual. Or, if you don't mind the calories, hot chocolate or apple juice made with cinnamon and cloves. The positive on the heat your own apple juice thing is it makes the house smell good, too.

Sometimes just having a different place to do something. Move away from where you've been staring at the computer and set up shop on the dining table or something.

I'm going to take the posters up on the idea about working for a set time and then stopping. I have TONS of stuff to do that I haven't gotten done.