Tackle your to-do list at work and make the most of the Christmas break - Women's Agenda

Tackle your to-do list at work and make the most of the Christmas break

It’s not quite Christmas Eve yet but I’m feeling a noticeable shift in the way I am working. My mind is ready for a holiday! Have you got some tips for keeping up some momentum at work for the next two weeks?

Erin, PR

You are not alone! Many people feel increasingly distracted with the holiday season fast approaching. It can be hard to stay focused on the work that needs to be done when there is Christmas shopping to do, parties to go to and holidays that you are looking forward to.

Here are some tips to get you through the next few weeks of work, meet your deadlines and still enjoy yourself.

  1. Make a list – get clear on the most important things that you must get done before the break. There are always lots of things we want to do or that we spend our time on, but they are not always absolutely necessary. Work out which projects need to be closed out, who you may need to meet with or talk to before you head out, and how you can best clear your plate before the New Year. Doing this will get you focused on your must do’s before the holiday.
  2. Start there each day – I have written before about tools for productivity and one of the most important ones is to start your day with your top three priorities. So once you are clear on your list of must dos before the holidays, make sure that you spend the first part of your day accomplishing these tasks. Then, if you get distracted later in the day, you know you have gotten through your critical list, and you won’t beat yourself up for being unproductive.
  3. How do you want to feel? – Take a few moments and think about how you want to feel going into the holiday season. Do you want to feel stressed and frustrated that you didn’t get all of your work done and have it hanging over your head over the break? Do you want to go into the New Year with this year’s projects still unfinished? There is something very liberating about heading into a new year with a clean slate. It is energizing. Tapping into the feelings that you do want as you head out on holidays might just be the motivation you need to get focused, and get your work done.

You have two weeks to go and then it is holiday time. Stay focused and get through your work and you can then head into Christmas with a clear desk, a clear mind and a clean slate for the New Year. Have a wonderful holiday period.

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