With the holiday season going into full swing, it can be challenging to stay motivated at work and balance the extra demands on your time as you try to juggle the parties, school events, traveling and family outings all within a short period of time.
The holidays are meant for joy and not the frustration that often comes from doing 10 things at one time. Struggling with staying motivated at work amidst the holiday errands easily leads to losing focus on the matters at hand and when you are overwhelmed it’s difficult to keep up your motivation.
The temptation to hurry through your daily work routine while covering for colleagues taking vacation all adds to your stress level which in turn affects productivity. However, this time of year can be more productive for you if you keep a few things in perspective and plan accordingly.
One of the easiest things to overlook is taking care of you. Through the hustle and bustle of the holidays it helps to keep your expectations in check by planning and losing the notion of perfection.
In order to be more productive, you might have to step out of your comfort zone and ask for help. Avoid multitasking especially if you have numerous projects going on at the same time. Talk with your boss and ask for some assistance if possible, now is the time to get a clear understanding and prioritize work.
Take some time off to enjoy the season — a few days out of the office will help clear your mind of holiday shopping and errands.
Communicate with your boss and colleagues in particular if you know certain weeks or dates will be busier than normal with holiday events. When everyone is busy, it’s easy to assume rather than communicate up front your requests.
Be aware of your workload while your career is essential, it’s also important to balance your family’s needs as well as your employer’s. While technology allows you to work anywhere, do your best to refrain from taking work home during the holidays.
Start every day with an end goal in mind. Focus on one project at a time and watch out for distractions that keep you running behind such as taking a longer lunch than planned and avoiding the temptation to shop online at work.
Take care of yourself by getting enough rest and exercise, even if it is just a walk around the block. Fresh air helps revive your energy.
Organize your desk and files; coming back to a clean desk after the holidays are over will give you a boost.
Enjoy this time of year by managing what you can control and letting go of things that keep you from appreciating the season!
How do you stay motivated through the holidays at work?
