BALANCE AT WORK BLOG

3 things to do now to finish 2018 ready to relax

The end of the year is approaching fast.

You’ve booked your holiday, planned well-earned time off with family and friends, but well before you activate the out-of-office message you need to complete your end of year deadlines.

Budget targets, key performance indicators and employee reviews need finalising, your clients have last-minute work. The office stress levels are on the rise making it even more difficult to successfully navigate towards your break.

In the back of your mind, you know this has happened before and you’re starting to dread the likelihood of work intruding on your holidays – again.

Does all this sound familiar?

Pre-holiday stress does not have to be the norm!

You can reach the end of the year ready to relax by using these simple strategies.

  1. Take some time out

Go for a walk, find a quiet place, avoid any distractions. Give yourself the time and space to reflect and plan. It is also important to eat well and have a good night sleep. The best-laid plans can fail if you fall ill. Remember the last time you spent the first week of your holiday sick in bed?

  1. Decide what can wait

Those deadlines aren’t bad. They help you organise your time and set priorities. And meeting deadlines successfully can be highly motivating.

Check your To Do list and ask yourself, “What happens if this doesn’t get done?” and “Is this a priority for this year or can it wait?”.

Be realistic at this point and discuss with your manager or key stakeholders your considered solutions and more reasonable timeframes.

A word of warning. Becoming stressed by short-term thinking can be a risk to your mental health.

Consider your long-term goals for the year ahead and prepare you for your return to work. Work out what you want to achieve, when it can be completed and how this will help you keep your long-term goals in sight.

  1. Get help

This one is critical. If you need help don’t be shy. Ask for it now!

Creating a culture where it is OK for people to ask for help is a positive step that can remove roadblocks and potential full-blown crises.

Knowing what you will delegate and to whom is a skill well worth developing. Giving a team member a high-level task can be rewarding for all if you get it right.

Maybe it’s time to get a coach?

Time spent with another professional who can help you map out your most important goals and priorities may be just the help you need to finish this year ready for a well-earned relaxing break.

Balance at Work offers coaching and mentoring services for mid-career professionals, senior leaders and executives.

Talk to us about how we can help you arrive at your break ready to relax.

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