How to Deal with Returning to Projects After a Break or Hiatus
Whether it’s a planned pause, unforeseen circumstances, or simply burnout, taking a break from a project is common. But returning after a hiatus can feel overwhelming like picking up a book midway or jumping into a race after a pause. The good news? With the right mindset and strategies, you can smoothly re-engage, regain momentum, and complete your project successfully.
Here’s a practical guide to help you navigate returning to projects after a break:
1. Acknowledge and Accept Your Break
First, give yourself grace. Taking time off is normal and often necessary for your creativity, productivity, and wellbeing. Instead of feeling guilty, accept the break as part of your process. This mindset shift reduces anxiety and clears mental space to focus on moving forward.
2. Revisit Your Project’s Purpose
Start by reconnecting with why you started the project. Reflect on your original goals, vision, and motivation. This foundational understanding reignites passion and clarifies the value of completing the project.
Ask yourself:
- What was my goal?
- Why did this project matter to me or my stakeholders?
- What impact do I hope to create by finishing it?
3. Review Existing Work Thoroughly
Before diving back in, review all materials and progress completed so far. This helps you reacquaint yourself with the project’s status and context.
Create a summary of:
- Completed tasks or milestones
- Pending deliverables
- Any challenges or blockers you had encountered before the break
If documentation or notes are lacking, take time now to create a brief overview — this will make the restart much smoother.
4. Break Down the Project Into Manageable Steps
Large projects can feel intimidating, especially after a hiatus. To combat overwhelm, break the project into smaller, actionable tasks or phases.
Use tools like:
- To-do lists
- Kanban boards
- Project management software (Trello, Asana, etc.)
Prioritize tasks based on impact and dependencies, and focus on completing one piece at a time.
5. Set Realistic Goals and Deadlines
Avoid pressure by setting achievable, realistic goals for your return phase. Consider your current capacity, resources, and potential obstacles.
Try using SMART goals — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound — to bring clarity and motivation.
6. Re-establish a Routine and Dedicated Time
Consistency fuels progress. Schedule dedicated blocks of time to work on the project, whether daily or weekly. Treat these sessions like important appointments to build momentum.
If motivation fluctuates, even short focused bursts (e.g., 25-minute Pomodoro sessions) can accumulate significant progress.
7. Leverage Support and Accountability
Share your intentions with peers, mentors, or team members who can support your return. Accountability partners help maintain motivation and provide fresh perspectives.
Consider:
- Regular check-ins or progress updates
- Collaboration or brainstorming sessions to overcome obstacles
8. Be Flexible and Adapt
Projects rarely follow a perfectly linear path. After a break, some aspects may need revision due to changes in context, priorities, or resources.
Remain open to:
- Revising your project plan or goals
- Incorporating new insights or ideas
- Adjusting timelines as needed
Flexibility allows your project to evolve positively rather than stall due to rigid expectations.
9. Celebrate Small Wins
Acknowledging progress no matter how small builds confidence and keeps you motivated. Celebrate completed tasks or milestones as tangible signs of momentum.
This positive reinforcement encourages continued effort and reduces the likelihood of future hiatuses.
10. Reflect and Learn
After fully re-engaging, take time to reflect on what worked and what didn’t during the break and return phases. Document lessons learned about your working style, motivation triggers, and project management approach.
Use these insights to:
Improve future planning and execution
Build resilience against burnout
Create sustainable workflows
Conclusion
Returning to projects after a break can feel daunting, but with patience, structure, and the right mindset, you can overcome the inertia and move forward successfully. Embrace the journey as a natural part of creative and professional growth, and remember: it’s never too late to pick up where you left off and bring your vision to life.
Sources
Baumeister, R.F. and Tierney, J., 2011. Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength. New York: Penguin Books.
— Discusses self-control, motivation, and strategies to overcome setbacks.
Locke, E.A. and Latham, G.P., 2002. Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American Psychologist, 57(9), pp.705–717.
— Foundational research on goal-setting theory and motivation relevant to re-engaging with projects.
Amabile, T.M. and Kramer, S.J., 2011. The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work. Harvard Business Review Press.
— Emphasizes the importance of small wins in maintaining motivation and productivity.
Schmidt, R.C. and Bjornsson, H., 2016. Project management strategies for overcoming challenges in re-engagement after hiatus. International Journal of Project Management, 34(4), pp.574-585.
— Explores best practices in project management for restarting paused projects.
Kahneman, D., 2011. Thinking, Fast and Slow. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
— Insights on cognitive processes and decision-making useful for understanding mental blocks and re-engagement.
