How do I motivate myself to return to work after a year’s maternity leave?

APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.

Here, Karren gives her expert advice to a reader who is worried about motivating themselves on their return to work after a year’s maternity leave.

Q) I’m due to return to work in a few months after just over a year’s maternity leave, and I’m dreading it.

Not only do I hate the thought of leaving my baby – although he is currently doing settling-in sessions at nursery, and I am confident he’ll be well looked after – I also just can’t get excited about work.

It’s weird, because before I had my son, I felt like my job was a big part of who I was.

I brought my newborn into the office last month, and while it was nice to see my colleagues, I just couldn’t get interested in the work chat.

READ MORE FROM BOSSING IT

BOSSING IT

I can’t keep people in my team for longer than a year – how can I retain talent?

BOSSING IT

My colleagues say I’m not always part of the team but I don’t like small talk

How can I make my return feel like a positive move?

Jayne

A) What you’re feeling is completely normal.

After having a baby, everything changes, and the things that once felt all-consuming at work may suddenly seem less significant.

Meetings, emails and office chatter can feel trivial when set against the new world you have at home.

When you return, focus on the elements of work you did enjoy – catching up with a colleague, tackling a project you are passionate about, or simply setting goals and meeting them.

Plan a gradual return, and allow yourself to adjust.

Stay connected to your baby in simple ways, such as regular check-ins with the nursery, to make the transition easier.

View work as something that supports your family and your independence, rather than the thing that takes you away from your child.

For many women, returning to their job can be liberating, and there’s plenty of research that shows mothers are the most productive workers due to their ability to manage time and workload.

You may discover a new, healthier balance between your job and family life.

Above all, don’t let the anticipation of returning to work overshadow the rest of your maternity leave.

• Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk.