The holiday season is just around the corner, which means it’s busy season for most businesses. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed this time of year with competing interests of family and work, and it can be hard to find a balance. So, it’s important to keep these 5 things in mind to prepare for the busiest season of the year.
- Prioritize Deadlines – Give yourself time at the beginning of the week to prioritize your key tasks, deadlines, and goals. Focus on one activity or project at a time, working on top priority tasks with the closest deadline first. Multitasking on projects can be stressful, overwhelming, and is ultimately not productive. If you need help meeting a deadline, delegate tasks and ask your team for help.
- Keep your Outlook Positive – If you have a bad attitude and feel overwhelmed with all the looming deadlines, you are only setting yourself up to fail. Focus on being present in each moment/project, practicing mindfulness is key. Shift your thought process from, “How will I ever get all this done?” to a more passionate, enthusiastic thought focusing on the outcomes like “When I get all this work done, it’s going to be the BEST, most successful holiday season this company has ever seen!”
- Be Kind to Yourself and Others – Schedule breaks, you may feel bad taking any time for yourself when you have a hundred things on your to-do list. But, your mental health and inner peace is key to being successful. So, take time you decompress, go for a walk, enjoy a nice lunch, or even take a nap! You will come back refreshed and energized to take on your to-do list with a new found enthusiasm. Remember your coworkers, boss, even family and friends may be having a hard time this season as well, and be kind to everyone always. Snapping at someone out of stress will only compound personal stress.
- Manage your Time Wisely – While it’s important to make time for breaks, it’s obviously very important to schedule time for work. Use a time management system such as google calendar, or outlook calendar to set milestone deadlines for yourself and keep organized. Block out time on your calendar for working sessions to work on large projects. Deprioritize or cancel items on your calendar that are not completely necessary. Use resources such as e-mail to communicate project updates instead of taking the time to meet in person to discuss when applicable.
- Remember to Have Fun – The holiday season is supposed to be fun! Don’t let the stress of the season steal your joy. Take time for networking at holiday parties, enjoy family events, and remember the reason for the season. Channel your inner Cindy Lou Who and spread holiday cheer to your coworkers, friends, and family.