Staying Organized During the Holidays

The holiday season seems to start earlier every year. This year is no exception. The 10 months preceding November and December are hard enough to juggle being a professional, a spouse, a parent, a friend, and so much more. Add shopping, wrapping, celebrations, and family to the mix, and suddenly, you wish cloning were legal!

But the holidays don’t have to be overwhelming to you, your family, or your office staff. Put a plan of organization into place right now before things get too out of hand.

Double your lead time. Some of us are naturally fast workers. We type fast, we eat fast, and we make decisions fast. In many cases, that can be a clear advantage. However, some projects take longer than others, no matter how quickly we work. If you know there is a particular task that takes you a certain amount of time, start doubling your lead time. In other words, double the amount of time you estimate the task will take. Then, start the project twice as early as you normally would. Doubling your lead time – and starting earlier – will help organize your calendar as well as prepare you for life’s little interruptions, especially when trying to balance a busy holiday season with a busy work season.

Develop a plan for the unplanned. It happens to the best of us: our well-laid schedules for the day are thrown out of orbit by an unscheduled interruption. Planning for the unplanned – such as leaving an hour of unscheduled time on your daily calendar – helps alleviate the stress that comes with the unexpected. Choose a time that typically works best for you; morning, lunch or late afternoons. Allot that time for the simple tasks that don’t take much time and don’t require your full attention. Answer emails, handle paperwork, run an errand, or do something else that isn’t considered a big priority. When the interruption enters your domain, you’ll feel fully prepared and able to work it into the rest of your busy day.

Determine not to procrastinate. Whether its filing, returning phone calls, or decorating your house for the season; schedule a time to do it. Too many tasks and not enough time to complete them can often leave us feeling overwhelmed. Procrastinating on those tasks that seem daunting can lead to guilt which leads to even more feelings of being weighed down. Streamlining – such as establishing a new or temporary filing system – might also be the trick in getting the task accomplished. And there’s nothing wrong with enlisting the help of trusted staff or family members.

Time flies, no matter how much we resist! Having a plan or organization in place now will make the holidays a season of wonderful memories.
Happy Organizing,

Nicole