It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As the holidays roll around, there’s so much to do: baking treats, shopping, wrapping gifts, attending parties, sending out cards. Oh, meeting year-end deadlines at work, finishing big projects, and trying to stay on top of regular tasks.
It might feel impossible to juggle everything with only 24 hours each day, but it can be done!
Take a deep breath, relax, and follow these suggestions to stay productive at work during the holidays.
Give the gift of patience.
Remember, first and foremost, that everyone is juggling a lot and being pulled in many directions all at once, everywhere they turn. Don’t jump to conclusions, don’t take things personally; don’t treat anyone differently from how you’d like to be treated. As busy as you are, everyone else is too. A little holiday spirit, in the form of kindness and compassion, can go a long way!
Make a to-do list and prioritize it as needed.
There are still a finite number of hours in the workday. Determine which are the most important tasks to complete each day and focus on them. If something gets dropped into your lap, make sure you understand how important it is compared with everything else on your list. Don’t be afraid to ask! Make sure everyone’s on the same page, so no one feels slighted. It’ll take the pressure off you too!
Try to limit meetings.
There’s a kind of conventional wisdom as of late: Meetings can often be replaced with a phone call or email. When possible, try to address questions or projects with person-to-person conversations instead of blocking off chunks of time for meetings. It’ll make everyone’s day move a little more smoothly and productively.
If you have some paid time off in the bank, use some of it.
If you can knock out some of your personal to-do lists without worrying about work, you’ll come back to the office more focused and better able to concentrate on the tasks at hand. Plus, it’s your time, you’ve earned it! It’ll also help reduce the temptation to get that holiday shopping done on company time.
Take breaks, take a walk, take care of yourself.
Some people get so stressed out trying to get everything done that their health suffers — kidney stones from lack of water, low blood sugar from not eating, insomnia from stress, etc. Be sure you’re taking a lunch break, drinking plenty of water, getting enough rest (which means putting the phone away before bedtime!), and eating healthy foods to keep yourself up and running and not sidelined by sickness. This is especially important this year, as we monitor public health trends due to COVID-19.
The time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s can be exciting and stressful in equal parts. There’s time for all of it. Just pace yourself!
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If you’re already looking at the New Year as a time to make some changes, Debbie’s Staffing is ready to help! We work with some of the best names in the industry and help you find a new start if that’s on the top of your resolution list. Contact Debbie’s Staffing today to kick things off in the best way possible.
