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Master time management this December
6 minute read | Josie Davies | Article | Wellbeing Work-life balance | General
What’s December like at your workplace? For many professionals, it means a lighter workload, boosted morale and increased time off work – especially for those working at businesses that shut for the holidays. Though not everyone celebrates Christmas, many people still participate in seasonal workplace activities and enjoy the festive cheer throughout December.
However, this time of year can also bring more distractions and disruptions to your usual routine. The excitement of the season, combined with various social events and the anticipation of time off, can mean it’s more challenging to stay focused. Office parties, team lunches and Secret Santa exchanges, while great for team bonding and lifting spirits, can interrupt your workflow and affect your concentration.
Here are some tips on how to manage your time effectively in the lead-up to the holidays, so you can fully relax and unwind during your end-of-year break.
Extended lunch breaks and early finishes for socials are commonplace for many workplaces throughout December. Enjoy these activities – you’ve earned it after a year of hard work, after all – but don’t forget to plan your day accordingly. If your boss allows extended lunch breaks or early finishes, try to make the most of your core working hours. This might mean prioritising your most important tasks in the morning or setting specific goals to accomplish each day.
And if the atmosphere is making it hard to concentrate, consider moving to a quieter space, like an empty meeting room, to help you stay focused and minimise distractions. Or if your workplace allows it, you could use headphones to play background music while you work – this can make the noisy environment more bearable and should reduce interruptions from your colleagues. Christmas songs are optional!
Remember, it's all about balance. Enjoy the holiday cheer and opportunity to strengthen bonds with your colleagues, but also take proactive steps to manage your time and maintain your productivity. By doing so, you’ll be able to get involved with any festive activities without compromising your output.
Not everyone experiences a lighter workload throughout December – depending on your industry, it may even be your busiest time of year! If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the holiday hustle, start by creating a to-do list; this will help you structure your days and weeks leading up to the holidays. Identify the most urgent tasks on your list and tackle those first, leaving less critical tasks for another day. Allocate specific time slots for each task and set realistic deadlines to ensure you stay on track. By breaking down your days into manageable chunks, your heavy workload will likely feel less daunting, and you should find it easier to stay focused.
As December progresses, you might be tempted to postpone some tasks until January. However, completing your to-do list now will not only give you peace of mind, but start the new year free from the burden of unfinished work. This approach will help you manage your workload effectively while still enjoying the festive season, ensuring you’re in the best position possible for 2025.
If you’re on the other end of the spectrum – enjoying a lighter workload and more free time on your hands – consider what you can do outside of your usual tasks that will benefit you in the long run. It may be a good idea to declutter and arrange your inbox, desktop and documents to help you stay organised and able to find what you’re looking for more easily in the new year.
Aside from admin tasks, you could also use this time for personal development. Is there a course you’ve been wanting to start or an area you want to upskill in? The festive season can be an expensive time for many people, so it’s unsurprising if you’re feeling hesitant about paying for a course right now. Thankfully, upskilling doesn’t have to be costly – there are plenty of free courses available on our My Learning platform covering a variety of subjects and experience levels.
Finally, if you have time off at the end of December, don’t forget to set your out-of-office message and switch off work notifications on your phone when you reach the end of your last workday. Break free of your emails and try to fully unwind during your time away, so you can return recharged and ready to tackle the new year.
Are you planning on job searching in the new year? Check out our live vacancies – we add new roles daily!
Josie Davies, Senior Career Transition Consultant at Hays
Josie joined Hays Career Transition Services in March 2020. She is an experienced career consultant/coach with over 10 years of experience supporting people from a wide variety of sectors, ranging from charities, government to commercial and banking. She has consistently received recognition for her solution-focused and supportive approach in assisting individuals to successfully manage career transitions. Josie trained in coaching from ICF accredited training provider, Coaching Development Ltd and is a member of the Association for Coaching.
