Managing the December Deadline Deluge

 

 

 

 

The end of the year is stressful enough without the extra pressure of last-minute requests due before New Year’s Eve. Here are four strategies to help you mitigate the crunch.
 
1) Be proactive if you suspect a request is coming your way. If you’ve noticed a pattern of year-end requests piling up in previous years, it’s time to take a proactive approach. Initiate conversations with your leaders about their needs.
 
2) Clarify what you’re being asked to do. When you get a last-minute request, don’t hesitate to ask follow-up questions to better understand the problem your colleagues want you to solve—and their reasons why it needs to be done now.

Click here to read a related post: 9 Tips for Clear, Concise, and Compelling Communication
 
3) Reprioritize your commitments. While you don’t want to build a habit of canceling or rescheduling meetings or due dates, the end-of-year rush can justify an honest reorganization of your to-do list.

Click here  for a related post: How to Say 'No" When You Don't Feel You Can Say 'No'

Click here for a related post:  How to Prioritize When Everything Feels Important
 
4) Commit to your PTO. To avoid giving up your well-deserved vacation days (and your overall well-being), confidently communicate your plans with your colleagues in advance.

Click here for a related post: 7 Ways to Achieve a Work/Life Balance

Remember, no change, no change. 

To your greater success and fulfillment,

Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant
SMART DEVELOPMENT

 

Take the Next Step...
Interested in learning how to develop your organization's leadership capability, culture, and employee engagement? We begin with a collaborative discovery process identifying your unique needs and business issues. To request an interview with Peter Mclees please 

contact: Email: petercmclees@gmail.com  or  Mobile: 323-854-1713

Smart Development has an exceptional track record helping service providers, ports, sales teams, restaurants, stores, distribution centers, food production facilities, wealth management services, facilities management, real estate services, nonprofits, government agencies and other businesses create a strong culture, leadership bench strength, coaching skills and the teamwork necessary for growth.