2013 Business Management – Don’t Close Up Shop During The Holidays
The period between Thanksgiving and The New Year is one of the most difficult times for businesses and professionals to get work done. Nearly everyone is shifting their focus from getting work done to thinking about family, holiday parties, gifts, religious services, and just plain relaxing. For the majority of very successful business professionals, it’s also difficult to shift from the work mindset to the personal mindset. This means you have a decision to make. Either:
A. You close up shop, go on vacation and spend quality time with your family
B. You continue to work most of the week and complete projects
C. You force yourself to work, but don’t really get anything done
D. You force yourself to take time off but can’t stop thinking about everything that needs to get done
Obviously you don’t want to end up with choices “C” or “D” above. They are both stressful and counter-productive. If you’re going to take the time off, enjoy yourself and forget about work. If you work most of the time, this may take some practice.
On the other hand, if you have pending closings or negotiations, or if you’ve got projects that must be completed, make the decision that if you’re going to work, you’re going to be productive. Use the following steps to be sure you’re able to get all important tasks completed, both personal and professional:
- Make a list of everything that must be done with business during the holidays.
- Make a list of the important holiday events.
- Using a blank calendar, make a list of the personal and professional tasks you want to accomplish each day.
Be sure to limit the number of hours you’ll be spending working on business related tasks. Keep in mind that this time of the year, it’s very easy to spend the entire day at the office, and yet, get nearly nothing done. If this is going to happen, just accept that it’s better to just take the time off.
Most importantly, remember the reason you’ve worked so hard the entire year – to improve the quality of your life. Don’t get so absorbed making money that you forget to have fun and give thanks for all of your blessings. If you struggle to make the transition from business to personal, think about how you’re impacting your family. Be sure you’re doing what you can to make this time of the year as special as it should be not just for you, but for all of the people that are important in your life.