While the rest of our staff is taking some time off for the holidays, we have invited a Guest Blogger to step in to help us out this week. Let me introduce Harvey the HR Elf. Harvey is HR Director of Santa’s Workshop. Harvey will be helping us out this week with some struggles that he experiences with his staff at Santa’s Workshop. It is possible that you and your staff are experiencing some of the same things.
The holiday season has been here for a few weeks bringing equal parts joy and stress, as individuals juggle normal work responsibilities and family commitments but also all the stress and busyness that comes with the holiday season. You can imagine the stress that is experienced by Harvey’s team at Santa’s Workshop during this time. The holidays can provide an opportunity to recharge and reconnect but can also contribute to burnout if not managed intentionally.
Why Do Holidays Pose Unique Challenges for Work-Life Balance?
For many, the holidays feel like a triathlon. Deadlines at work seem to come quicker, seems like there is a party every week (maybe twice a week) and the list of things that need to get done for the holidays seems never ending. Unfortunately, this blend of work and personal life can tear down boundaries, making it harder to switch off and recharge.
Some of the challenges people face during the holiday season are:
End-of-Year Deadlines and Pressure: Many organizations push to wrap up projects before the year ends.
Family and Social Commitments: From holiday gatherings to gift shopping, personal responsibilities tend to come faster in December.
Expectation Overload: There's societal pressure to make the holidays “perfect”, adding emotional and logistical stress.
In order to create a plan to address these obstacles, you need to acknowledge that they exist in your life and then put a plan together to address them.
Below are a few tips that may help you as you navigate the last few days of the Holiday Season:
Plan Ahead to Avoid Last-Minute Stress
Make a list of your priorities:
Start by making a comprehensive list of your work deadlines, social commitments, and personal responsibilities. Then, rank each item by importance and urgency. Prioritizing what truly matters will help you avoid spreading yourself too thin.
Actionable Tip:
Break down your tasks into small manageable pieces. Looking at your schedule in chunks like that can help prevent double booking and forgotten obligations.
Communicate Your Availability:
If you're planning to take time off, notify your manager and colleagues well in advance. This shows professionalism and ensures your projects are covered while you are out.
Example Email:
“Hi {Manager/Team}, just a quick note to inform you that I'll be on holiday from {date} to {date}. I'll make sure all my pending tasks are completed and hand over any ongoing projects by {specific date}. Please feel free to reach out before then if you have any questions.”
Set Boundaries
During the holidays, it is easy for work and personal time to stack on top of each other. Setting clear boundaries is crucial in maintaining balance.
Create a Dedicated Work Schedule
Set specific times for when you will work and when you will log off. Share this schedule with your team if necessary to ensure they respect your time.
Example:
“I'll be online from 9 AM to 1 PM during the holiday week to address high priority matters, but I'll respond to all other requests when I'm back after the holidays.”
Learn to Say No:
We all want to be a part of the fun at social events and feel guilty if we're not volunteering for extra projects at work, but this can lead to burnout. Saying no to low-priority activities allows you to focus on what's meaningful.
Try This:
Instead of outright declines, use language like “I'd love to, but I don't have the bandwidth this time around” or “Thank you for thinking of me, but I need to focus on {specific priority}.” Remember, saying no is not selfish; it's self-preservation.
Protect Your Downtime
Schedule “me time” in your calendar. This time could be used for the activities that recharge you. This could be reading, meditating, spending time with loved ones, or exercising. Turn off email notifications during these periods to fully disconnect.
Choices Lead to a Balanced Holiday Season
Striking a work-life balance during the holidays isn't about perfection. It's about making small, thoughtful choices to protect your time, energy, and well-being. By planning ahead, setting boundaries, and prioritizing self-care, you can enjoy this festive season without compromising your professional responsibilities.
Remember, you don't have to tackle the holiday season alone. Use accountability partners to keep you on track. And most importantly, give yourself grace - rest is an essential part of sustainable success.
Here's to a holiday season filled with meaningful moments and a well-deserved balance.
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