There's something about the holidays that makes our lives feel so unbalanced. We're all busy during the holiday season, and there's a lot going on. But we need to make sure we maintain balance between our personal and professional lives. I wanted to share a quick guide on how I keep my life balanced, while maintaining flexibility and productivity.
- Set A Timetable For Each Week
It's very easy to fall behind schedule during the holidays. It's not unusual to have an endless list of things to do. This can easily translate to a feeling of being overwhelmed and exhausted. You need to take the time to prioritize your tasks, so you don't forget to do anything important.
We've all seen the picture of Santa with his tiny reindeer perched next to him. But how does he fit on top of that sleigh? The answer is by setting time aside for each week. As long as you have time in your calendar for each week, you can focus on completing all your tasks without ever becoming overwhelmed or burnt out.
- Keep It Flexible
Don't let your schedule dictate how you live your life. Don't be the person that says, "I can't leave my house today because I have to get this report done by tomorrow." We're all guilty of falling into this trap. This doesn't mean you can't set aside a specific day for getting things done, but it means you should also be able to say, "I won't be home until 5pm today."
I know it's a bit more difficult to keep your flexibility during the holiday season. It's so busy. There's a million things you want to be doing!
But you can do it. It just requires some adjustments to your calendar.
Here's an example of my schedule: I normally work Monday through Thursday, which means that I typically spend Friday afternoons doing things outside of work. I'm very flexible on Saturday mornings, and I can work in between family events if necessary.
My wife gets off at 2pm. If we're at a family event, that means she's home alone for about six hours. That means I can work from home after my son goes to bed and before she gets home.
- Leave Time For Your Needs
Everyone has different needs. Some people need more sleep than others. Others require more time to relax. There are a variety of things you can do to maintain your own sanity.
I used to spend too much time worrying about what other people thought of me. This led me to be uncomfortable when I had to interact with friends and family.
This was stressful. So, I decided that I needed to change my relationship with my family. I stopped asking for favors or expecting to be accepted by them. I asked only for support when needed, and it made all the difference. I felt better about myself because I was able to prioritize my needs.
I encourage everyone to do the same.
- Take Your Work Break
Great tips