“Just one more week…” says everyone at their workspace today. However, with work parties, secret Santas, and end-of-year deadlines, not to mention the pressure to somehow immediately decompress and enjoy the holidays, you may feel less than merry right now. “The happiest time of year,” can be particularly challenging as people strive to meet all their obligations while also wanting to spend quality time with family and friends. Here are some little gifts that may make seasons brighter as you enter the homestretch of 2024 and think about offering yourself a merry little, BREAK!
All workplaces are bustling right now! You are supposed to have fun, be engaged and yet there are projects that must be completed, budgets finalized, and deadlines due by the time the clock strikes twelve on December 31st. This rush can lead to increased anxiety as employees feel compelled to work harder than usual to meet the year’s goals in a month that typically has more days off and less hours to complete them than usual. The first gift you can give yourself is to recognize this stress is real. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and most likely, everyone is feeling the pressure. So, take a break and take a breather. This is real and it’s ok.
Your next gift is to set priorities. This will be a list of what matters now, next week and maybe even the first week of January and what can wait. Anything else will wait! It’s not a priority, right? Start by grabbing some paper (yes, you are going to write it down,) listing all tasks that need completion before the year ends. This can be work stuff, working out, baking, travel, wrapping gifts, anything and anything should be on this list. Check your phone and calendars, do you have appointments? Are you trying to catch a plane or have specific times you need to be anywhere? Make sure you have your details straight. Now, you will prioritize. Try the Eisenhower Matrix, which categorizes tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance: 1. Do (Do these first) 2. Schedule (These are important but not urgent and can be scheduled for later) 3. Delegate (Give to someone else) 4.Don’t Do (Not important, you aren’t doing it!)
Your next gift? Boundaries! Boundaries create a clear framework for you and those around you of what is protected. However, you will have to let people know where yours are! If your priority is to finish something at work, which means no long lunches with your work buddies, that’s up to you to establish and keep this boundary. Communicate clearly that you can’t do the big work lunch until your project is off your list. Chances are they will be impressed rather than feel ignored. You will feel less guilty and more empowered every time YOU enforce your boundary. Only YOU can enforce your boundaries.
Your next gift is planning your time off for the holidays, creating a transition plan if someone will be taking on your responsibilities while you are out and/or setting up your outgoing messages, voicemail, etc. Inform your team and/or clients clearly if you will be away more than a regular holiday time of 1-2 days or if this eats into a regular appointment or deadline. “I will be out until (fill
in blank) and I will respond again on (fill in blank).” Help your team and clients help you by letting them know ahead of time, which allows them a chance to plan, ask questions and have peace of mind if they can’t find you.
Now comes the real gift, when you are out of work, you are not working. See if you can give yourself your own attention to unwind, welcoming some extra self-care to take a longer shower, go for longer walks, savor a daytime meal that may sometimes be rushed. Try offering that to those around you too, more quality time. Being present in your environment and to those around you will allow you to make meaningful connections and memories that will serve you longer than your employment every could.
The last gift is remembering the end of the year is supposed to be a celebration. Work is crazier because your workplace wants to celebrate you. Your friends and family want to see you! This isn’t bad, it’s great! The end of the year is a chance to celebrate all the accomplishments, relax and welcome a new year with hopefully some hope and expectation. You can’t do that if you are burnt out. Prevent this with the gifts of getting organized, being strategic, setting boundaries and being present these next few weeks. Everything else can wait. If you can manage to reduce your stress and anxiety, we think you’ll be able to replace it with joy, gratitude and just maybe you’ll be able to have yourself a Merry Little BREAK!