The holiday season is here! Nonetheless, staying focused at work during the holiday season might be difficult.

As we know, it’s a great season to enjoy all the wonderful activities with friends, family and loved ones.

From office parties, seeing clients and coworkers take time off, hosting events at home, planning travel arrangements, hopping for family or relatives, to the lack of supervision and offices that don’t shut down entirely.

It is not surprising. In fact, studies show that individuals’ productivity tends to fall during the final weeks of the year. 

A 2019 survey conducted by Ladders found that more than 50% of U.S. employees start losing focus at work in mid-December — right around the time when offices start winding down for the year. 

If you are one of the many employees who struggle to focus on work during the holidays, you must find a way to stay motivated.

Whether you’re back in the office or working from home, below are some tips for staying focused during the holiday season.

 

 

Leave Your Work At The Office

While some of us are back in the office and many are still working remotely due to COVID, It’s important to have a clear difference between working and being at home. 

It’s very easy to say, “if I don’t finish this at work, I will continue after dinner, or I can finish it up at home.”

However, It’s important to realize that family quality time is special, especially during the holiday season.

During this time, household distractions tend to increase. Usually, it becomes more hectic than ever.

Staying focused can be difficult when the family visits and stays at your home.

Hence, You can set reasonable goals for tasks that need to be accomplished at the office. You shall also commit to dedicated work hours if you work full time at home.

While you’re working, it is essential to silence yourself from your personal life. The goal is to finish tasks on time and maintain productivity before leaving work for the day.

When you’re done with work for the day, you need to leave your phone or laptop away. Enjoying a moment with loved ones will become more meaningful. 

 

Watch Out For Workplace Distractions

During the holiday season, the distraction becomes more disturbing.

With all of the holiday glitz and glam, string lights, people in the office find a way to keep themselves distracted.

Playing on phones, chatting with coworkers, and online shopping are just a few office distractions.

Hence, You have to resist the urge to take care of holiday things while at work. For this reason, don’t let yourself give in.

In maximizing holiday season productivity, it is essential to avoid distractions. You have to know how to leave them at the door.

You can make several efforts like mute texts, turn off social media, put on headphones, or go somewhere quiet.

As a result, you will manage to avoid those things causing your mind to drift.

Be aware of what distracts you, do whatever you can to push out those distractions. So you can make the most of your time at the office and focus more fully.

 

 

Read also

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Avoid Multitasking 

Multitasking appears to be a great way to finish more tasks in less time. It turns out to be a major time-waster.

Moreover, multitasking is one of the activities which can hinder you from staying focused at work.

Unlike a computer, humans cannot multitask. Trying to multitask can cost you up to 40% of your productivity. 

Multitasking never works out. So, you must avoid this working approach, especially during the holidays. It will get you behind on your work. In addition, your job result is not up to the expected quality.

Instead of trying to get it all done at once, work on one project at a time. As a result, it will boost your productivity, better focus, time management, and creativity.

Hence, you will be able to pay undivided attention to each activity. 

 

Get Organized

Keeping track of everything during the busy season can be difficult. Hence, planning is key during the holiday season.

Write down everything you need to do before the holiday rush begins. Sit down and ask yourself what you need to get done before going on vacation. 

Once your to-do list is created, it is time to structure and classify your tasks by priority.

Organizing your tasks will make them more manageable. It will also keep you from becoming overwhelmed and paralyzed with all there is to do.

As a result, you have a written reminder of what you need to do for work.

  

Do Not Over-Commit

Do not over commit. Especially during this busy season is not the best time to overwhelm your schedule with extra work. In this case, you’ll need to find a way to balance your work and vacation time. 

No rule says that you have to attend every event.

Sometimes, It’s okay to say no.

You can say the reason for the unavailability to assist the project. You can offer a solution to finish it after the holiday. Most of your colleagues will understand as they are likely in the same position.

Keep in mind that not overcommitting applies to holiday activities as well, whether they’re personal or organized by your company.

 

 

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A Very Helpful Strategies To Eliminate Stress At Work

 

 

Take A Day Off

According to Reservation.com, 27.3% of US adults don’t take time off during the holiday season. 

Working during the holidays doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take some time off before or after the holiday. So, take your unused vacation days!

You can plan to go away with your family or stay at home during the holidays. For example, going to the mall to do a little shopping or simply relaxing. 

Spending your time taking a personal day or two days off can also become an option. It will allow you to relax and recharge during the holiday.

When you return to work, you are more likely to be productive and focused.

 

Enjoy The Holidays!

Staying focused and productive is essential before the holiday. It allows you time to relax and enjoy the holiday.

So, you should be motivated to finish up all the work you have to do beforehand.

After all, the holiday season is about celebration.  It is a joyful time of the year. So, you don’t try to cut that out completely. 

 

At these times, staying focused at work is difficult, since there are a lot of things to plan. As a result, workforce productivity is decreasing.

Nevertheless, before you enjoy your much-awaited holiday break, it’s important to take care of your responsibilities first. 

Good time management can help you stay on track with all the tasks you need to do.

It also increases your productivity at work.

Using these seven tips will help you focus more on work during the holidays. Happy holidays!

 

Read also

Post-Holiday Blues: Let’s Cope Before Back To Work

 

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