Christmas doesn't mean playtime for everyone: here's how to balance your work life with the holidays.
Just because it’s holiday time, doesn’t mean regular life grinds to a halt. That includes work. Service- and retail-oriented jobs go into overdrive, and office jobs typically have hectic or at least standard workloads.
In order to avoid falling behind at work during the holidays, keep the following in mind:
Service, Retail, Etc. Work
This is the time of year when workloads go crazy, and everything must be kicked up a notch. Wild holiday shoppers are pushier than usual, and lack patience. There’s always someone else needing your help. Restaurants are flooded with cranky, starved people. How to deal?
1) Keep your cool. Don’t allow the mood of the customers to frazzle you.
2) At the same time, hurry. You must help more people in a shorter amount of time. A slow-and-steady pace won’t work. Minimize your steps—fold clothes and bag them while waiting for the credit card receipt to print. Keep moving as you make small talk. Give your attention to each person in front of you while being cognizant of the other people waiting for help.
3) Smile! Even if you hate the holidays (as many in retail do), the people you are helping want to be reminded of a happy season with cheer and kindness. Humor them.
Office Jobs
Certain jobs, like creating insurance packages, don’t necessarily pick up during the holidays. However, business doesn’t cease, either. Be conscious of your responsibilities in the workplace. Workers are more prone to slacking off during the holidays, taking longer lunches, or leaving early to finish Christmas shopping. Especially if you are planning on taking some vacation time, it’s important to maximize your time at work.
1) Stay on task. When you’re at work, use that time for work. Spend a little less time chatting with co-workers or surfing the net (even if it’s for holiday shopping). Then, even if you duck out a little early, you’ve gotten as much work done as you normally would.
2) Don’t assume that people celebrate the same holidays you do. Sure, there’s such a thing as too much political correctness, but there’s something to be said for acknowledging different beliefs. If you aren’t sure what your cube-mate celebrates, ask. You’ll never offend someone by being too careful, but on the other hand, you may offend someone by being thoughtless.
3) Use this time as an opportunity. While your competition slacks off a little, be assertive in earning new clients. Customers still have needs, and they’ll be impressed with your initiative and willingness to work hard even while the rest of the world is taking it easy. You’ll gain loyalty and respect.
4) But take it easy, too. No one will fault you for leaving on time instead of working late every night. A half day on Christmas Eve won’t kill you. Remember your family and friends. The holiday party is a time for play, not more work talk. Enjoy yourself!
