Silly Season Survival Guide: 5 tips to conquer the end of year crazies
Brace yourself – we've entered the silly season. And it's not called the silly season for nothing! There are end-of-year parties, team lunches and obligatory office merriment to embrace … all while you're trying to meet a million work deadlines and solve the annual Chrissy gift conundrum for aunty Susan.
It's enough to get your tinsel in a twist.
Don't panic, we've got you covered with our top 5 tips for surviving the silly season:
1. Set realistic goals
We love some SMART goals. But goals are not just for your career development; they can also get you through the silly season.
By setting realistic goals, you’ll gain clarity on where your energy is best placed throughout the festive period, empowering you to manage your time effectively. Just remember, now is not the time for a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). Keep silly season goals small and achievable to minimise stress.
2. Kindness is king
With all the extra pressure, socialising and frivolity, it can be easy to push your personal needs to the side. But you need to be kind to yourself if you're going to get through unscathed. Look after your health with good-quality sleep and exercise. Practice mindfulness. And use your self-regulation skills to stay cool, calm, and collected.
Your kindness should extend to others, too. Everyone is dealing with the same end-of-year scramble, so try to exercise a little extra patience and empathy with colleagues. If you're struggling, simply unleash your inner Ted Lasso.
3. Teamwork makes the holiday dream work
Teamwork is a must-have soft skill in the workplace, and there's nothing like the festive season to prove its power. Look for opportunities to get colleagues involved in your projects to help with the load. The same goes at home – don't be afraid to ask family members or friends to help with your to-do list, even if it's just wrapping presents.
4. Set clear boundaries
Setting boundaries is a top survival tip for the holidays. If you can't step away completely from work over the holidays, set some clear boundaries to ensure you maintain a good balance of work and home.
Studies by The University of Pittsburgh's Mind-Body Center found that taking a vacation increases positive emotions and reduces depression. Establish clear start and end times for your workday and stick to them. This could mean establishing specific times for checking emails, setting "Do Not Disturb" hours for deep work, or even dedicating entire days to non-screen work.
5. Use your strengths
Your strengths are like superpowers for tackling challenges. So, if there's any time you need to use them, it's now! Remind yourself of your strengths and think about how to leverage them throughout the silly season.
For example, plans may change unexpectedly during the holidays – there might be an extra mouth to feed at Boxing Day lunch, or a last-minute work deadline. But if you have adaptability as a strength, you can go with the flow and adjust to changes with poise.
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