The holidays are a fun, yet often hectic, time of year. This is especially true when it comes to managing your workload. Many of us travel and we all get certain holidays off, which forces us to condense our schedules. That usually means having to get the same amount of work done in a shorter amount of time. And, there’s nothing worse than having unfinished business sitting over your head when you are supposed to be relaxed while enjoying Thanksgiving dinner or the other holidays with your loved ones.
I usually try to stay ahead of schedule when I can, and during these last few months of the year it’s even more important to stay ahead. Unfortunately, the NextGear Marketing Blog has had to take a bit of a backseat as I work on my clients’ projects, but that’s fine. Prioritizing the workload is a key to managing it effectively.
Here are some helpful tips for getting ahead of the game this holiday season:
1. Prioritize
I already mentioned the importance of prioritization, but when you do it right, it will really help you get your work done. When you make sure the most pressing things are done first, it puts a lot less stress on getting the less important things done.
2. Incrementally Add More Work
Staying ahead of schedule during the holidays is largely about condensing more work into fewer days at the office. Start off by adding one or two small extra tasks per day to your to-do list and then incrementally increase that amount as the weeks go on. You’ll find it more manageable this way and you build up to more productive days. If you wait and try to scramble at the last-minute, it will not go well.
3. Proactivity, Not Procrastination
I’ve been known to procrastinate from time to time, but I hate the stress of having to get something done under the gun. The more proactive you can be in your planning and work activity, the less stressed you will be. Also, consider outsourcing certain tasks. Say managing your blog, for instance.
4. Reward Yourself
The ultimate reward when you get ahead of schedule is to not feel as stressed out during your holiday time off. You will have earned a break and you should be able to enjoy it. Still, giving yourself small rewards while working is another good idea. Maybe you get one extra Christmas cookie after you’ve done a certain amount of projects in a day or you buy yourself a holiday gift if you’ve earned an extra monetary bonus because of the work you’ve put in. If you are a manager, find ways to add incentives for people getting more work done this time of year.
5. Don’t Overdo It
This may seem contradictory, but the key to getting more done is not to wear yourself out early on. Take breaks and prepare yourself mentally. Prioritize your to-do lists and incrementally add a little more each day. You’ll be amazed at how much extra you can get done without feeling overwhelmed. By the time the holidays roll around, you will be able to actually relax and enjoy your time off. Doesn’t that sound nice?
These are just a few simple time management tips. The biggest advice I can give is to just be prepared mentally. This can be stressful time of year for many of us, but it doesn’t have to be. If you approach your workload with the right attitude and aim to stay ahead of the game, you’ll be amazed at the results. These are tips that can help you stay organized and prepared throughout the year, but the holiday season is when they may be most helpful.
If you need help with your marketing projects now or in the future, contact NextGear Marketing today. Sometimes, finding the right help will make all the difference in removing stress from your schedule!
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