When Christmas rolls around we completely understand that there is a lot going on! From Christmas presents, to Christmas parties, wrapping up the year that was and everything in between we have a lot on our plates. So it would be understandable if your team seemed…well, a little less productive than usual. For many the festive season is one of the busiest times of year, so how do you maintain team productivity whilst also enjoying a little bit of festive fun along the way? Stay tuned, because we are about to share our top tips to do just that!
Tip #1 Make a Productive Plan
It’s no secret that Christmas is arguably the busiest time of year. So how do you make the most of your time and not end up feeling overwhelmed and drained? You make a plan of course! Start by writing out all the tasks you need to complete, whether this is on a piece of paper or digital planner like smartsheet, then go back through them and prioritise them, including any deadlines that might apply. Be realistic about how long each task will take, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t quite get through what you planned. At the end of the day, by taking the steps to prioritize your time, you are setting not only yourself, but also your team realistic expectations and setting yourself up for success.
Tip #2 Avoid Multitasking
While it is very tempting to juggle multiple tasks to get your work done quicker, we promise that it’s probably best to leave the juggling act to the clowns. Focus your energy on one task at a time – not only will this help you maintain focus, but it will also give you a much higher chance of producing a quality end product. If you still feel as though getting through your tasks is impossible, reach out to your manager or colleagues to see if you can help share the load a little.
Also, as tempting as it is to do your online Christmas shopping during that video conference, we don’t recommend this! By dividing your attention you are at higher risk of making mistakes… which could make you feel a little silly if you end up sending your shopping to the wrong address or miss that critical piece of information.
Tip #3 Break It Down
You know those tasks that make you feel like you are standing at the bottom of the BIGGEST Mountain you have ever seen? You have no idea how to tackle it, and quite frankly it just all feels a little bit impossible. If you know this feeling all too well, try breaking each task down into subtasks or categories using programs such as Clickup. Not only will you make bigger tasks seem much more manageable, but it is great for feelings of productivity and accomplishment to be able to look back over your list and see that you are making progress.
Tip #4 Separate Your Work and Home
Once upon a time, we would go to work, use our desktop computer and landline phone for the day, and then travel home, where work would stay at work. While today’s technology is incredibly helpful and allows us a degree of flexibility and connection that we have never had before, it does also mean that it is incredibly hard to switch off our work to enjoy our personal lives. As hard as it might be, try to separate the two. Start by taking advantage of “do not disturb” features on applications on your phone – use these to set boundaries for your work and home life.
Tip #5 Get into the Spirit
While maintaining productivity is important, one of the most effective ways to do this is to actually allow your team a bit of a break! Allocate some time for staff to participate in some fun festive activities such as decorating their workspaces, having a team Christmas lunch or host an ugly Christmas sweater day. Stuck for ideas? You can see our 12 Days of Christmas e-book for more inspiration.
Tip #6 Don’t Forget Your Health
At Christmas time, our health is usually one of the first things to drop to the bottom of our priority list. With delicious Christmas treats, and a full schedule it’s easy to let it all go. But we are here to tell you your health absolutely deserves a place at the top of your priority list! By maintaining your exercise and diet routine, you actually help improve your productivity. Exercise is shown to reduce stress levels and combat feelings of fatigue, improving your overall performance. This is because exercise keeps blood, glucose and oxygen levels high, feeding the brain and releasing endorphins making you all the more jolly!
Tip #7 Don’t Over Commit
With all the office parties, client events, and secret Santa exchanges it can be tough to keep your eye on the ball. Be sure to prioritise and balance your festive season activities with your work obligations. Don’t feel like you have to go to every department lunch gathering or office party you get invited to. Keeping focused and maintaining a good work-life balance sometimes means saying no.
Tip #8 Take Time to Celebrate
After all, this is what the festive season is all about. So make sure you take the time to celebrate with your team at the office Christmas party! This is a great way to celebrate the year that was, connect your team and most importantly have some fun! Stuck for ideas? Check out our Christmas party quiz for some inspiration, or check out our amazing Christmas themed team events, that are sure to impress any team.
So there you have it, while the silly season may usually make you feel like hiding under your covers or running away to a tropical island, by following the above tips, we know that your team will be able to maintain productivity throughout the silly season and beyond into the years to come. So let’s finish off 2021 with a bang, and welcome in 2022 to be our best and most productive year yet!
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