🦺⛱️ Labor Day Recharge

Take a break from the daily grind! In this Labor Day-themed retro, let’s reflect on what energizes our team, what slows us down, and how to build more sustainable work habits. Let’s keep our productivity strong and our spirits refreshed!
40–55 min
4-12 people
Based on: Start, Stop, Continue
🦺⛱️ Labor Day Recharge

Template Columns

🌅 New Traditions to Start

Suggest fresh practices and rituals to kick off the post-holiday season with renewed energy.

Base column: Start
🛑 Exhausting Tasks to Stop

Identify habits or tasks that drain our energy, so we can create a healthier work environment.

Base column: Stop
đź’ˇ Positive Practices to Continue

Highlight the helpful routines and practices that keep us motivated and balanced.

Base column: Continue

About this template

The Labor Day Recharge retrospective helps teams reflect on energizing practices, eliminate draining habits, and build sustainable work routines for renewed productivity.

When to use this template

Best used right after a holiday or at the end of a demanding project to reset team habits and promote well-being.

How to facilitate

1

Welcome the team, explain the Labor Day Recharge theme, and set the intent: to build more sustainable work habits.

2

Briefly introduce each column: New Traditions to Start, Exhausting Tasks to Stop, Positive Practices to Continue.

3

Invite everyone to add reflections and ideas to each column, encouraging honesty and imagination.

4

Allow the team time to quietly review others’ contributions and group similar ideas together as a team.

5

Discuss standout points in each column, focusing on high-impact changes and positive momentum.

6

Collaboratively select a manageable number of new traditions to try and exhausting tasks to drop in the coming weeks.

7

Agree on owners or next steps for actionable items, and schedule a follow-up to review progress.

8

Close the session by celebrating what energizes the team and committing to healthier team habits.

Pro Tips

Link suggestions for new traditions to recent team challenges or goals for greater relevance.

Use voting to prioritize which new traditions to start and which exhausting tasks to eliminate.

Prompt quieter team members with direct, open-ended questions or use anonymous input to encourage wide participation.

FAQ

What if the team struggles to identify new traditions?

Reference recent obstacles or positive experiences as inspiration. Encourage small experiments rather than big changes.

How do we ensure follow-through on changes discussed?

Assign clear owners to action items and set a date to revisit progress, ideally at the next team meeting or retro.

Can this format work for teams that haven't just had a holiday?

Yes. The focus on energy and sustainability benefits any team, especially after periods of high workload or stress.

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At a glance

  • Duration

    40–55 min

  • Team Size

    4-12 people

  • Columns

    3 columns

  • Base Format

    Start, Stop, Continue

Tags

team health
well-being
reflection
energy
work-life balance
habit change
team rituals

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective