Stay Productive All Season Long
Tis the season to stress, lose sleep, add items to an ever-growing to-do list, and try to squeeze holiday activities and tasks into an already over-stuffed schedule. With so many expectations and extra pressures surrounding the holidays, your work can suffer. Be proactive by following these easy steps and stay productive and happy all season long.
1. Start Planning Early
Start your planning early. Prioritize work projects and personal activities. What projects can wait until after the holidays? What tasks can you delegate to others? Since multitasking isn’t effective, let your boss know if you have too much on your plate. You will lose the stress of trying to get everything done at once. Your boss can most likely help you prioritize projects and assign tasks to others.
2. Choose Activities Wisely
It’s easy to get caught up in the festivities of the season. It’s just as easy to overload your schedule and get burnt out. Instead, focus on those activities that are most meaningful – dance recitals, candlelight vigils, etc. then let other activities go.
3. Check Your Expectations
Be realistic and keep your expectations reasonable. You can only do so much. Plans change, accidents happen, flights get cancelled, work piles up. The best recipe for a peaceful and stress-free holiday is to hope for the best, plan for the worst, and roll with the punches.
4. Communicate Your Schedule
Let colleagues, clients, and family members know your holiday schedule as another strategy to stay productive. Before taking leave, send an email to your work connections letting them know that you will be out of the office and unavailable while on leave. Give them a timeline for projects and important tasks so they can plan. Set an out-of-office message for your voicemail so callers know when to expect to be able to contact you again after the holidays.
5. Work as Usual
While you are at work, keep to your normal routine. Work as though it was any other time of the year. This will help you to stay focused at the office when it’s so easy for your attention to get pulled in another direction.
Productivity Experts
When you want to increase productivity for your business, consider teaming up with Charleston Payroll. Our simple solutions for payroll, onboarding, timekeeping, and HR functions, will save you time and money. Access everything you need anytime of day, anywhere you are. Let the holidays and the new year be your best yet!