The Flying Turkey Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving gatherings, Christmas cheer and pumpkin pie galore will be at the doorstep in no time. But sometimes stress accompanies this time of year. With Black Friday dissipating and sales now starting over a month early (Huffington Post), workers are feeling excited but overwhelmed. Between a heavy workload, increased expenses and party planning, the holiday season can be overwhelming. Inherently this means that productivity can easily dwindle, costing the bottom line.
This can be a tough wave of transition for managers and leaders to combat. But with the right tools, employees can fly faster than a turkey, which travel as fast as 55 miles per hour according to Smithsonian.com. Here are some tricks to keep the energy up and get things done at the office during the holiday season.
Holiday Productivity Tips:
Stay organized
It’s a hectic time of year in many ways. You likely already refer to a personal calendar, but keep it more visible during this time. With added holiday parties and time off approaching, it’s good to be aware of timeframes left to accomplish work goals. Also consider posting a team calendar in a visible place at the office which includes any deadlines and functions which all employees should know about.
Strategize
Check in with your team members and be sure they’re sharing the load adequately. It is easier to stay on top of time management skills, than to play catch up later. As is the case with meeting any goal, strategy is key. Everyone should know their roles clearly, understand the timeline and be treated fairly. Work out time-off in advance by setting a deadline.
Remain Positive
Due to added obligations, such as shopping, magnified budgeting, heavier workload and more, the holidays can easily induce stress (Mayo Clinic). It seems silly to sit around and force a smile across your face when you don’t feel very happy, but smiling actually does improve your mood and it’s the first step to keeping employees motivated. Encourage them to do the same by telling jokes and creating a positive atmosphere.
Keep Focus
Certain tasks are not as appealing as others. Encourage your teams to focus on the outcome rather than the process. This will help them finish the project.
Take office productivity to the next level and show the turkeys who really flies fast. Send your team into the holiday season feeling good about what they’ve accomplished. Above all, remember this is a happy time of year. Don’t sweat the small things
