⛈ Managing The December Deluge 🌈

 

 

 

 

 

The end of the year is stressful enough without the extra pressure of last-minute requests due before New Year’s Eve. But fear not! With a dash of humor and a sprinkle of time management savvy, you can conquer the year-end chaos.

Here are four strategies to help you dodge the crunch and make it to the holiday cookies unscathed—plus bonus links with expert tips so you can execute each step like a pro: With these strategies and resources, you’ll breeze through year-end requests and keep the holiday spirit alive!

 

1.    Channel Your Inner Psychic—Be Proactive! If you feel a mysterious disturbance in the force (a.k.a. the annual pile-up of requests), don’t wait for the inevitable email titled “URGENT.” Instead, surprise your leaders by asking, “Hey, what year-end magic do you need from me?” It’s like predicting the weather, but with fewer umbrellas and more spreadsheets. Start these conversations early—your future self will thank you!

 

2.   Don’t Be Shy—Clarify, Clarify, Clarify! If someone tosses a last-minute task at you, unleash your inner detective. Ask follow-up questions like, “Could you walk me through why this needs to happen before we all turn into pumpkins at midnight?” The more you understand, the better you can tackle the request—and maybe even make your colleagues giggle along the way. Remember, confusion is the enemy of productivity (and good moods).

 Click here to read a related post: 9 Tips for Clear, Concise, and Compelling Communication

3.    Rework That To-Do List Like a Boss. It’s time to give your commitments a makeover! End-of-year madness means it’s perfectly acceptable to reshuffle meetings and deadlines. Picture yourself as a juggler—drop a few balls if you must, just don’t let your own sanity hit the floor. Communicate with your team, prioritize ruthlessly, and don’t be afraid to say, “Let’s bump this to January when our brains are refreshed and our coffee cups are full.”

Click here for a related post: How to Prioritize When Everything Feels Important

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

4.   PTO: Protect The Oasis Your vacation days are sacred. Guard them like a squirrel with the last acorn of the season! Tell your colleagues about your plans early and often, and stick to them like glitter at a New Year’s party. Taking time off isn’t just good for you—it reminds everyone else to recharge, too.

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

Remember, laughter is the best stress-buster. Tackle those end-of-year requests with optimism, a sense of humor, and a determination to protect your peace. No change, no change… so be the change that gets you to January with a smile!

To your greater impact and well-being, 

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

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