With the start of December we enter full holiday mode. While the holidays can be exciting they can also be stressful. It can be difficult to balance a variety of demands and stay focused. Here are a few tips to help you stay focused during this holiday season!
1. Create your to-do list and prioritize tasks.
Get your tasks and projects, both personal and professional, into a digital or paper system and out of your head. Once you see all your commitments and want-to-do’s, decide which to drop and which could wait until the new year
2. Avoid multitasking
Avoid working on personal and work-related tasks at the same time. Shopping online while listening in on a conference call could be disastrous.
3. Don’t take your work home
When at the office try to set clear and reasonable goals for what you want to accomplish while at the office and be sure to commit to a hard break. The idea is to use your motivation for getting out the door on time as a way to fight off those tempting distractions.
4. Get in the Spirit!
Being positive during the holidays can make a big difference in your performance.
5. Don’t over-commit
Be sure to prioritize and balance your holiday activities with your work obligations. Don’t feel like you have to go to every department lunch gathering or office party you get invited to.
6. Do a self-evaluation
At the end of each day and week in December, review your level of productivity. Did you get done what you intended to? If not, what got in your way?
7. Look forward to next year
The new year is just around the corner. Anticipating new budgets and projects will keep you motivated for what you’re doing now.
Have more tips for staying focused during the holiday season? Share them with us in the comments below!