The holidays are not only a busy time of year in your personal life, but also as a Consultant. There may be many end-of-year deliverables to complete, unaccomplished goals to reach, and last-minute changes to execute. Despite all that, it's possible to conquer this busy time of year and come out thriving and successful. You may even find that you are less stressed about the holiday season and can actually enjoy this time of year. Here are a few tips to help navigate the holidays.
Prioritize
One of the most important things to do during the holidays is to practice strong time management skills. There will be many tasks demanding attention and it is important to focus on those that matter most. At the end of each day, look over your to-do list and choose the three tasks that are most important and urgent. Complete the “low hanging fruit” and prepare to start the following day with the remaining high priority tasks. After you’ve recharged, cross those tasks off your to-do list, enjoy the success.
Learn to Say ‘No’
The job of a consultant ensures that the client is making progress, moving the business forward as needed. Progress throughout the holiday season can feel like a slow moving train - managing time when team members are taking time to recharge can be a challenge. To overcome this requires communication, effort and targeted work. Over the holidays there is the added stress of parties and events deadlines loom - it is important to learn when to say “no” and set proper expectations. Determine your response by evaluating the importance of the deliverable by working with your team to confirm your pushback does not negatively impact the overall effort. Encourage others to do the same - set the project up for success coming out of the holiday season.
Take Care of Yourself
It is common for many people to overdo it during the holiday season. In fact, according to a study by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, 49% of people turn to coffee to help them navigate their busy holiday schedules, while one in six consumes energy drinks, and 74% binge on unhealthy snacks to help sustain themselves during this busy time.
The study also found that the average person needs to take five periods of ‘me time’ away from the festivities to help reenergize themselves and manage their stress levels. A little self-care is essential, not only during the holiday season but throughout the entire year. Receiving the recommended amount of sleep each night, eating a healthy diet, regular exercise, and engaging in activities you enjoy can give you the energy needed to navigate through your holiday stress.
Find Ways to Serve and Help Others
During this time of year, it is easy to get caught up in yourself and your workload. When thinking about the holidays, you can tend to focus more on the commercial aspect of the season, rather than what this time of year is truly about. By prioritizing time to help those who are less fortunate, you will feel more happy, productive, and satisfied with your day-to-day tasks. In fact, research shows that a person who volunteers monthly is 12% more likely to be a very happy person and someone who volunteers weekly is 16% more likely to be very happy. Even simple things such as donating to a charity, helping a neighbor, visiting an elderly family member, etc., can help you refocus on what is important and increase your overall happiness.
Find Ways to Help Yourself
Use the platform that facilitate work and collaboration with other Consultants.If necessary, update your profile and prepare for the next time you’re in search for a project. Bench is here to support you as you look to deliver quality work. If you haven’t done so, head to www.benchsme.com and create your profile. Connect with projects that fit your expertise, build lasting Client relationships, Match the Companies who are the right for YOU.
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