The festive season is upon us and for many it means a few days off work to eat, drink and be merry. Instead of checking emails and sitting in meetings, the holiday period is an excuse to sit yourself on the sofa all day. BUT not everyone is so lucky, millions of people are likely to be in work on during the festive season.
If you find your motivation slipping away or you're having trouble keeping your head in the game, these simple ways to stay focused at work should help you get back on track.
• Leave your personal responsibilities at home
The most distracting element during the season is your personal holiday errands, so don't bring them to work. To use your time most efficiently, you must separate the two areas. Instead of using company time to plan personal events, consider taking a PTO day or two to wholeheartedly tackle your holiday preparations.
• Try to avoid multitasking
You may think this saves time for holiday planning, but in the end, rushing through work only increases the likelihood that you'll make a mistake.
• Organize your tasks
Have a comprehensive list of tasks will help put your mind at ease, and breaking up your to-do list into small pieces will make it more manageable. Nothing looks as bad on paper as in your mind.
• Start each day fresh and with a clear mind
Taking things one day at a time reduces anxiety and stress, and that will ultimately help you stay focused.
• Limit your distractions
We all face distractions in the office, especially when the stress of the holidays comes around, but one of the easiest ways to stay focused at work is to limit them.
• Ask your family and friends to respect your working hours
Another way to stay focused at work is to keep your workday free from personal calls, texts, and emails. Co-workers understand this; our professional friends get it.
• Take care of yourself in mind and body
Exercising is a great way to clear your mind, helping to limit distractions while you're at work.
• Resist the urge to overcommit
It's a good thing to volunteer to take on new projects at work — it shows initiative and flexibility. However, now may not be the best time of year to overwhelm your schedule with extra work.
“Working hours are never long enough. Each day is a holiday, and ordinary holidays are grudged as enforced interruptions in an absorbing vacation.” – Winston Churchill