It’s difficult for employees and managers alike to come back to work after the holidays, but with some tactical planning and careful consideration, the early January blues won’t cut into productivity. One of the biggest ways to tackle stagnation in the new year is by setting new goals for the organization. Effective and collaborative goal setting provides employees with focus, opens communication channels, and provides everyone with clearly defined expectations. A more subtle weapon to combat the drudgery is to get employees up and moving. Sedentary lifestyles are productivity killers, and unless management takes an active role in promoting physical fitness and activity, it’s likely employees will sit at their desks eight hours a day. Not only does this pose health risks, it is also mentally destructive. By planning weekly exercise classes or setting up incentive programs for gym attendance, companies can make sure the wheels keep turning. It’s also important that organizations focus on creating chances to learn. By offering opportunities for employees to attend conferences, receive training, or participate in workshops, especially early in the first quarter, managers can be assured that their workforce will remain nimble and engaged.