The holiday season is arriving, and for many professionals it marks the start of the busiest time of the year. Not only do they have personal and family commitments to attend to, but they must balance the year-end needs of their companies, too.
In the midst of all the hustle of the November and December months, it can feel impossible to effectively manage all of your personal and professional responsibilities. To help, we asked members of Forbes Coaches Council to share their best approaches for juggling both during this hectic time. Follow their tips to find a sense of balance in your life this holiday season.
1. Create A Budget For Work Time
Be realistic about what you can accomplish in that time and prioritize accordingly. Be flexible—the unexpected will happen—but if you can't get to the unexpected right away, provide a reasonable time frame for your response and let it go until then. When you are with family and friends, focus 100% on them. Let them know you enjoy their company. And if you need to step out to handle a work issue, tell them that and when they can expect you back. - Theodore May, Theodore May
2. Be Transparent With Colleagues And Family Members About Your Priorities
It is common to be conflicted, so it is best to carve out a bit of space for both priorities. Block time on your calendar and inform you work colleagues of the time blocks you will be available for work priorities. Have the same conversation with your family and friends. Transparency is key and will help all your stakeholders support and respect all your work and personal endeavors. - Karan Ferrell-Rhodes, Shockingly Different Leadership
3. Aim For 'Work-Love' Balance, Not 'Work-Life'
I follow a "work-love" balance, as this is what constructs a more meaningful life. Doing meaningful work that you love nourishes the entire human experience, while a "work-life" balance concedes that an imbalance exists. Professionally and personally, "work" and "love" are synonymous so that "juggling" is not necessary. Rather, those things that are most meaningful are the same things that should bring meaning to career, life, play and discovery. It's all one journey with lovable priorities—family, friends and a calling. In this formula, there is no concept for "work needs," just "life wants." - Brad Circone, Circone + Associates Inc.
4. Use Your Calendar To Plan Out Everything
Finding an appropriate balance between work and personal life seems to be challenging at all times of the year. I use my calendar to plan out every aspect of my life. Whether it’s the basics of getting a haircut or a routine dentist visit or a meeting with the CEO of a new prospect, I make sure it’s on the calendar. - Brian Burkhart, SquarePlanet Presentations & Strategy
5. Make Sure There Are Pauses
Learn to say no! Really. Be thoughtful and intentional about where, and with whom, you spend your time. Make sure that there are pauses in your calendar—times where there is nothing scheduled so that you can think, relax, reflect, or go for a nice long walk. - Joanne Heyman, Heyman Partners
6. Aim To Be Present
Breathe. Focus. Be present. Live for today, but know tomorrow will come. Close each day with a plan for what is most important to attack the next day and start with that for your first 30 work minutes. - David Yudis, Potential Selves Inc.
Read more in How To Become More Mindful Of Your Communication
7. Plan To Be Social
We are social beings. Regardless of what we do for a living, it all comes down to enriching our lives with more social interactions because they bring us a sense of appreciation and recognition. The holiday season is more than ever a reminder of that socialization as we prepare ourselves to celebrate a year of effort with people we cherish, and no busy days should ever change our focus on what matters the most! - Patrick Bensen, PB Consulting Ltd
