As the holidays roll in, you may be having a challenging time wrapping up everything that needs to get done in the office in addition to working on your holiday preparations. It can be difficult to spend the time you want to with your family while still putting in the hours you need to at work.
Difficult does not mean impossible, however. To help you develop the right balance, nine members of Forbes Coaches Council share their approaches for juggling your personal life and work needs, especially during the holiday season. Here’s what they advise:
1. Be Ruthless
The holidays present a wonderful opportunity for practicing ruthless prioritization. When feeling overwhelmed with the sheer number of personal and professional demands on your time, ask yourself, “which of these things will I most regret not doing?” Alternatively, if a friend was explaining a similar set of circumstances to you, what would you tell them to cut? And then follow your own advice! - Dina Smith, Cognitas Coaching
2. Shift Your Mindset
The holidays are stressful, since we are usually being asked to do more at work and for our family, with even less time. A simple shift in our mindset to selfless service, of giving and gratitude, while expecting nothing more than the warmth of a hug, or the joy in seeing the happiness of others will go far — so far you can do it all year 'round! - Jon Rambeau, Experiential Leader
3. Plan In Advance
As the holiday season approaches, it's easy to get caught up with struggling to meet the increased demands for work and personal needs. This can be detrimental to your health and put a real damper on the holiday season. To avoid holiday burnout, it’s best to start planning in advance. Be clear on what is most important to you and then schedule activities and events around those priorities. - Jean Kristensen, Jean Kristensen Associates LLC
4. Set Boundaries
Give up on the idea of "work-life balance." Know that there are times that you will need to work and need to play. Be very purposeful when doing both. For example, if you are having family time, leave the phone off and in a room that is nowhere near where you will be. Set boundaries, even if for short periods of time. This will help with minimizing guilt along the way. - Heather R. Younger, J.D., Customer Fanatix
5. Clarify Your Priorities
My wife and I both run our own businesses. We talk to clarify our priorities and what we are trying to build. Then it's just a matter of choosing what best serves those priorities and avoiding what doesn't. - Christian Muntean, Vantage Consulting
6. Schedule Everything Important
Scheduling is the best way to balance your life. Get out of the 9-to-5 mentality, and schedule what is important. Whether it is a client appointment, lunch with a friend, or your child's holiday party, honor what is on your calendar. If you find an area of your work or personal life suffering, make time for it, don't wait to find the time. - Krystal Yates, EBR Consulting, LLC
7. Include Personal Time In Your Calendar
Plan ahead for personal time and vacation. Then, add these dates to your calendar as non-negotiables. From there, you can adjust your work schedule to finish your projects on time and meet deadlines before your scheduled vacations. - Kyshira Moffett, The KSM Group
Read more in Coaches: 10 Tools to Help Keep Your Schedule Organized
8. Compartmentalize And Commit
For decades, professionals have been fed the myth that personal sacrifices were the ultimate mark of an ambitious employee, especially during the holidays. True leaders, however, have learned to compartmentalize their time — whether they're working on a Saturday or spending time with family, they're totally engaged and fully present. Define your obligations and interests, then commit 100%. - Justin Giddings, The Kickstarter Guy
9. Postpone Less Important Tasks
It is important to view what obligations you have on the calendar or task list until the end of the year. If possible, begin to complete as many of those tasks before the holidays, so you don’t find yourself sneaking back to the office or your computer to complete work. Also, consider pushing unimportant items to the beginning of the year or learn to delegate. Just remember to have fun! - Michelle Weathersby, LENS Consulting Firm, LLC
