Back to Work

After a week of vacation, it can sometimes be quite difficult to get back to work. Let's be honest here - we'd all rather be basking in the warming sunlight on some sandy beach, rather than laboring under the flickering fluorescents in some cramped office. So if you're finding it difficult to get back into office work mode, try one of the tips provided below. They might seem a little silly at first, but they should help make that first day back at the office a little more enjoyable.

• Purchase one of those inflatable kiddie pools and bring it to the office. Then, when it's time for your break, skip the water cooler and go swimming (or at the very least splashing) instead. Not only will this provide for a bit of fun and relaxation, but it will also be an opportunity to show off your skimpy new swim suit to Janice in accounting...

• It would most likely be inappropriate to drink any sort of umbrellaed cocktail at the office. But that doesn't mean you can't put those little cocktail umbrellas in all your other drinks! Coffee... soda... water... even chicken noodle soup can all be made much more festive with a simple cocktail umbrella.

• Bring a reclining lawn chair to the office. You would be amazed how relaxing a day at the office can be when you're working from your new office lawn chair...

• Forget about that big presentation and show a vacation picture slideshow instead. Sure nobody actually likes to look at other people's vacation photos... But when the alternative is a 60-minute presentation on the latest advancements in chopstick manufacturing, I think most people would prefer to see your vacation photos.

• And lastly, if all else fails, call in sick and enjoy one final day off before returning to work - tomorrow.

I hope these tips help. And enjoy your first week back to work!