The December holiday period is usually a time when people, surrounded by family, friends, good food and traditions, naturally start to slow down for some much-needed rest and relaxation. As a company, you and your team might be wondering how you can stay motivated and productive for this last stretch.
To help prevent you and your team from hitting a slump, we’ve put together a list of what to do to stay motivated to work while at the same time still embracing the holiday spirit.
How to avoid the slump and stay on track
1. Break down goals and tasks into easy-to-digest, bite-sized chunks
Teams are often tired and tend to lose steam towards the end of the year, which makes having to achieve a certain number of goals before then daunting and overwhelming.
To alleviate some of the pressure that comes with the end-of-year rush, break down what you need to do into smaller steps.
Check off small tasks that, when added up, contribute to a larger goal. As you and your team complete each task, you’ll feel more motivated to power through.
The process of breaking down goals will also allow you to measure your progress and give you and your team chances to celebrate the small wins.
When you set a goal, involve your team. Ask them what they are hoping to accomplish so that you can set realistic goals as a group.
It’s also a good idea to aim for a finite number of goals rather than trying to achieve everything all at once.
2. Encourage your team to take some time off
December is the perfect time for employees to take some time off to rest and be fresh for the new year.
As a leader, aim to be empathetic to employees’ needs and confirm that they are happy to take time off during this period.
To keep everyone on the same page, get your employees to record their planned off days on a shared calendar. That way they can plan and see when a good time would be to take leave both collectively and individually.
Leaders, encouraging your employees to take time off has proven psychological benefits. Including the ability to be more productive.
In addition, employees who distance themselves from environments that they associate with anxiety oftentimes feel less stressed.
Pro tip: When your team feels refreshed and less stressed they are more likely to come back ready to start the new year on a positive and productive note.
3. Celebrate the end of the year and your team’s accomplishments
End the year on a high note by celebrating the holidays and your team’s accomplishments.
Set aside some time to celebrate with your team. Don’t ignore the holidays and pretend like they don’t exist. Knowing that there is a specific time for fun helps everyone relax and gets them into the holiday spirit.
End-of-year celebrations also allow you and your team to bond and review everyone’s contributions and accomplishments. Making space for reflection and gratitude.
Pro tip: The holidays can be a tough time for some people, so allowing employees to celebrate and spread cheer at work can go a long way in boosting morale.
When planning an end-of-year event, your goals should include having fun and rewarding hard work. It’s also a good time to ask each team member which accomplishment they are most proud of, and a great chance to remind them of all the amazing wins that they’ve shared together over the last twelve months.
Embrace the holidays
When there are urgent deadlines looming, it can be easy to forget to celebrate and have fun during this time. But as you’ve read, getting into the holiday season will benefit your and your team’s mood and productivity. So don’t be afraid to embrace the pleasantries of this time of the year while still working hard to get all tasks done.
