The holiday season is an exciting time. There’s so much to do! Whether you’re getting ready for a trip, shopping for relatives, or organizing an office party; chances are you’re busy. It can be hard to keep track of all of these activities; however, it is crucial to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Unfortunately, the holiday season can be very disruptive to work. Trying to keep track of everything going on can lead to a loss of productivity. In addition, the season is one of the biggest vacation periods of the year, which can lead to limited supervision and oversight in the workplace.
Don’t Bring Your Personal Responsibilities to Work.
One of the biggest workplace distractions during the holiday season can be personal errands. It’s hard to keep track of everything you need to do, both professionally and personally, so it’s important to separate the two. Plan ahead and avoid handling any personal responsibilities during your work hours. Instead, take a day or two off to prepare for the festivities.
Don’t Multitask.
Even if you can, it’s not necessarily a good idea to work on multiple projects at the same time. Instead, take a step back and figure out what should be prioritized. Doing so will allow you to finish tasks and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Do Organize Tasks.
To keep track of your work-related to-do lists and your personal holiday obligations, create a comprehensive list by drawing up two columns and writing down each of the various tasks you must complete. Having a list will help keep you focused on the important tasks at hand.
Do Limit Distractions.
It’s the time of year when you’re most likely daydreaming about the holiday party or planning on getting to your son’s winter music event on time. The holidays can be a time of both excitement and stress, preventing you from focusing on your work. One of the best ways to keep yourself focused on your tasks is to limit your activities.
One of the most important steps that you can take to keep yourself focused on your work is to limit distractions such as texts and emails. This can be done by setting aside a specific time to open and check your inbox daily. If you’re worried you might miss important clients or managers, try setting up desktop alerts.
Do Ask Family and Friends to Respect Your Working Hours.
To ensure that you’re focused on your work, refrain from using mobile devices and email if it’s not necessary. During the holidays, your phone and text messages can get more frequent.
You should place your phone in your desk drawer until after work and ask your relatives to refrain from calling and texting you while you’re in the office. Explain to them that it could hurt your professional image and distract you from your tasks. Setting boundaries is important to maintain a positive work environment.
Furthermore, you should refrain from using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter during office hours. Set aside daily time to respond to and update your feeds if you must.
You might be tempted to say yes to everything, but remember that doing may cost your sanity. The holidays are a wonderful time of year; you should make the most of it by acknowledging your obligations and planning accordingly.